ISLANDERS are being urged to be on the look-out for forged £20 notes.
The warning follows the arrest of two people in recent weeks for allegedly circulating counterfeit currency.
The police said it had been notified by local businesses of fake money being used on more than 20 occasions.
A number of premises have been targeted, mainly pubs and supermarkets.
The fakes found so far were all £20 notes and used two specific serial numbers – CD74675145 and CD74888888.
The police also said that some featured the words “prop money” covered by a label.
Police Constable Iain McCallum said: “It came to our attention locally that these fake counterfeit notes were being used at a number of different shops across the Island in over 20 different cases.
“There is the possibility that it will continue to come to our attention because these notes are in circulation.”
He explained it was not yet known how many fake notes were being used but that this was being looked into as part of the police investigation.
“There’s not a massive concern from us that there’s hundreds of thousands of these notes running around the Island, but of course the fact that there’s a number of them and we’ve been notified of these incidents is concerning,” he said.
He said that some of the notes were “quite well done” and that the force was “fortunate” that clued-up retailers had spotted them.
“Whether it be a hologram on the note which looks funny, or the appearance of the Queen on the note or the feeling of the note, it was something that they’ve noticed,” he explained.
“As soon as these came into circulation different retailers were sharing information amongst each other so that they were all aware.”
“What we’re seeing with these individuals that we’ve arrested and are now investigating, is that on each of these occasions there’s been a similar method,” said PC McCallum, “in that they’ve gone to these places and spent a low amount of money, using what would be a £20 note, in exchange getting as much back as they can to profit from that.
“It’s generally confectionery goods we’re seeing [being purchased]. It’s lower-value items which they can make a profit from.”
PC McCallum added: “Part of this investigation now will be us getting that message out that these notes are in circulation and, obviously, are worthless. So what we encourage people to do – retailers, businesses, individuals who may come into possession of a note – is if they are concerned to bring it down to the police station for us to have a look at.
“If we have concerns, that note will be seized.”
