Shop hit by fake money ‘scam’ (From Swindon Advertiser)

Shop hit by fake money ‘scam’

1:00pm Friday 17th February 2012 in News

A STORE in the town has fallen prey to an alleged counterfeit cash scam that has resulted in four people being arrested.

Staff at Savers, in The Parade, in Swindon town centre, were handed fake notes which police believe were used in a countywide con.

Three women and one man, all from Hounslow, west London, were found sitting in a car in Chippenham on Friday, and were arrested by plainclothes officer Andy Henson, who works for the Priority Crime Team in Melksham.

The officer said £1,200 worth of fake £20 notes were found stashed in the car door alongside £420 of real notes, and the boot was full of shopping bought that day from the Savers store, allegedly with counterfeit money.

PC Henson, who has worked for the police for 11 years, said: “Four people were arrested on The Bridge (Chippenham) sitting in their car.

“We had a phone call from a business who contacted us to say that a fake £20 note had been spent in store.

“They gave us details of the people who had been in the shop and the vehicle they left in, and as we arrived in our car I spotted them straight away as they were still sitting outside.”

The officer called for back-up as he was alone when he arrived, and received support from Chippenham police and PCSOs.

“The people arrested denied that they’ve done anything,” PC Henson said. “They’ve been released on police bail while we make further enquiries. This is a serious crime and if you’re tried with an indictment, you can get 10 years in prison if found guilty.”

Since the arrests, police have started to speak to business affected, including the bargain Swindon store and others in Chippenham, all of whom had been given the fake £20 notes.

PC Rachel Webb, beat manager for Chippenham town centre, organised the operation, and said police will not tolerate counterfeit cash.

“We have alerted members of the business community to be aware of fake bank notes,” she said.

“I am confident that with our CCTV coverage and training we stand a high chance of detecting any such notes passed.

“I have a simple message to anyone thinking of passing fake notes: think twice – we will not be sympathetic and when we catch you, you can expect to be prosecuted with the full force of the law. You have been warned.”

Anyone with information on the counterfeit money is asked to contact Wiltshire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.