UPDATED: Forged notes flood into Colchester shops (From Essex County Standard)

UPDATED: Forged notes flood into Colchester shops

1:54pm Wednesday 20th March 2013 in News

SHOPPERS and shopkeepers have been warned to beware a counterfeit batch of £10 notes in circulation in Colchester.
 

Five men have been arrested after several retailers, in and out of the centre, had been presented with combinations of real and forged notes.
 

They have then had the people return a few days later looking to obtain a refund.
 

Five men from the town have been arrested on suspicion of fraud.
 

A 23-year-old man was arrested and charged with fraud after two forged £10 notes were used to attempt to purchase men’s perfume in the town.
 

He was also charged with possession of counterfeit currency with intent and possession of a Class B drug.
 

He is currently on police bail until his appearance at Colchester Magistrates Court on Wednesday, April 10.
 

A second 23-year-old man from the town was arrested and charged with allegedly committing fraud on Friday, March 15.
 

He is currently on police bail until his appearance at Colchester Magistrates Court on Thursday, April 11.
 

Three other men, aged 62 from Colchester, aged 30 from Tiptree and aged 46 and from Tiptree, were released on police bail until Friday, May 3, pending further enquiries.
 

Sgt Jon Butcher said: "The forgeries are of good quality.
 

“They have serial numbers of IJ67 339872, PO22 439872 and JK76 319872.
 

“We would urge all retailers to be extra vigilant over the next few days and, wherever possible, to use detector pens which may assist in detecting the forged notes.
 

“If innocent people find that they have been handed these forged notes, then sadly they will find themselves out of pocket.
 

“Any such notes should be handed in at Colchester police station.”