Police have issued a warning after an influx of fake Scottish bank notes have been spotted across the South West. Bude Police took to social media to warn the public, writing: "To all retailers, pubs, restaurants etc in Bude and the surrounding areas, [we] have had several reports of fake £20 Scottish notes being used fraudulently in the town over the last few days.
"Please be vigilant and you can refuse payment if you are unsure."
The issue crossed county lines with business owners in Devon's Braunton and Okehampton also being targeted by the scam. A retailer from Braunton posted a CCTV image of two young people online who he says paid with fraudulent notes, writing: "Unfortunately we’ve just accepted two fake £20 Scottish notes from this lovely pair. Both bought low-value items. Not what small businesses need right now!"
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Meanwhile, staff at the Crossways Inn in Okehampton experienced a similar incident, as a man tried to pay for food and drink with a suspicious-looking fifty-pound note. Speaking about the incident, which took place around 5.05pm on Wednesday, July 24, a representative of the Crossways Inn said: "Just a heads up be careful, sounds like an Irish man trying to buy minimal £3.95 (crisps and a drink) and giving me a Scottish £50 note [which] doesn’t look real.
"I didn’t take it. Then he said he would go and get his card out of the car and [he has] not returned."
If you think you've been given a counterfeit note, you should hand it in to your local police station.
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