Sky News investigates rise in fake banknotes and police crackdown on sellers
Sky News has investigated an increase in counterfeit banknotes and a police crackdown on those selling them.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story.
Police are warning the public to be vigilant after a rise in counterfeit banknotes being circulated and sold on social media platforms. Sky News joined officers from the City of London Police as they arrested a man suspected of selling thousands of pounds worth of fake cash. The suspect was caught unaware during a surprise operation and was later released on bail while police gather more information on how he allegedly smuggled the notes into the country.
The fake notes are often imported from abroad, typically from China, and are labelled as prop money before being shipped into the UK and sold online. Investigators found that counterfeit currency is being openly advertised on platforms such as TikTok, Telegram, eBay, and even Vinted. During the investigation, a seller was found on TikTok within minutes of searching.
Despite the widespread shift to card payments, counterfeit cash remains a problem. The value of recovered fake notes dropped from £1 million in 2019 to £400,000 in 2024, largely due to the introduction of more secure polymer notes and the withdrawal of old paper designs. However, that figure almost doubled last year to £800,000, suggesting that criminals are adapting.
The Bank of England continues to add strong security features to its notes, including holograms and intricate designs. Experts advise checking the holographic strip on a £20 note, which changes from '20' to '£' when tilted. Counterfeiting is not a victimless crime, and vulnerable people are often left with worthless notes.
Social media companies including TikTok, eBay, Telegram, and Vinted say they do not allow the sale of counterfeit money and use a range of measures to remove any content that breaches their rules. Alibaba was also contacted for comment. The investigation highlights the evolving nature of a crime that has existed almost as long as currency itself.
On screen
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Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, mapped by channel. Ordered by how many channels carried each claim.
| Claim | Sky News |
|---|---|
| Fake banknotes are imported from abroad, usually from China, labelled as prop money, and sold online. | |
| Police arrested a man on suspicion of selling thousands of pounds worth of fake cash; he was later released on bail. | |
| The value of recovered counterfeit banknotes in the UK dropped from £10 million in 2019 to £2 million in 2024, then almost doubled to £4 million the following year. |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
Sky News provided an on-the-ground, immersive report following a police operation to arrest a suspected seller of counterfeit notes. The tone was investigative and cautionary, emphasising the ease of finding fake cash on social media and the ongoing challenge for law enforcement. The report also included practical advice on checking banknote security features.
- “Fake cash is on the rise. So the time is now 10.25 and you're being placed under arrest.”
- “It can be so convincing. We'll have to get it checked out properly to find out but it's been seized for now and we'll make sure we get the checks done.”
- “Counterfeiting it's not a victimless crime and sometimes it's the people who are most vulnerable who are left with a counterfeit note.”
Broadcast Timeline
News broadcasts tracked for this story, in time order.