Home / Crime and Justice / Fake Money Scams Target Facebook Sellers
Fake Money Scams Target Facebook Sellers
7 Jan
Summary
- Counterfeit notes used to buy items on Facebook Marketplace.
- Incidents reported since Christmas, with losses of £1,000 and £300.
- Police advise sellers to carefully check currency for authenticity.
Authorities in Staffordshire are alerting the public to a rise in scams where individuals selling items on Facebook Marketplace have been targeted with counterfeit currency. These incidents have been reported across the county since the Christmas period, highlighting a concerning trend for online sellers.
One recent case involved a woman who was defrauded on December 28th. She was handed £1,000 in fake notes as payment for a mobile phone. Shortly after, on Monday, a seller in Tamworth reported a similar experience, accepting £300 in counterfeit bills for a guitar sold through the same platform.
Police emphasize that counterfeit money directly fuels organized crime and harms the UK economy. Sellers are strongly advised to scrutinize all notes for security features such as sharp edges, clear metallic images, and see-through windows to avoid becoming victims.
