Man arrested after more than £100,000 in counterfeit cash seized in Kidderminster
A 42-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of supplying counterfeit notes
Last updated 14th Jan 2026
A man has been arrested after police discovered more than £100,000 in counterfeit money at a property in Kidderminster over the weekend.
The 42-year-old was arrested on suspicion of supplying counterfeit notes on Saturday, 10th January, following intelligence work relating to the sale of fake money on eBay.
Officers searched an address on Goldthorn Road, uncovering forged £20 notes and equipment and tools used to manufacture the fake currency.
The arrested man has since been released under investigation while enquiries are ongoing.
Advice from police on counterfeit notes
Detective Sergeant Matt Robinson from North Worcestershire Reactive CID emphasised the importance of checking banknotes, saying the public should verify the authenticity of bank notes they receive.
“Following intelligence developed by CID we attended a property in Kidderminster where we found more than £100,000 in counterfeit money and equipment linked to its manufacture," Robinson said.
“As a result, we made an arrest on Saturday of a 42-year-old man on suspicion of supplying counterfeit notes.
“An investigation is ongoing, and we are using this case to remind the public not to fall foul of forged cash – learn how to check the bank notes you receive. If you do receive counterfeit bank notes in payment, report the matter to the police.”
National Crime Agency statement
Neil Harris, Head of the National Counterfeit Currency Unit at the National Crime Agency (NCA), said:
“Bank notes sold online and marketed on social media as ‘prop notes’ are counterfeit and to possess, sell or use them as payment is a criminal offence.
“We see foil stickers added to these counterfeit notes to conceal the ‘prop notes’ text, and these foil stickers are also illegal to possess, buy or sell.
"In some cases, the supply of counterfeit notes has been linked to organised crime groups.
“The UK’s National Counterfeit Currency Unit in the NCA works closely with online selling sites and social media platforms to prevent adverts for counterfeit currency being made or, where identified, ensure they are removed.
“We share intelligence with police forces across the UK to identify the offenders behind the sales to enable arrest and prosecution of offenders.”
Mr Harris added there are simple checks you can make to identify a counterfeit bank note by checking the holographic foil strip – on a genuine note the wording in this strip will change from the value of the note to ‘pounds’, for example from ‘twenty’ to ‘pounds’, but on a counterfeit note, this word is fixed.
He also said that the wording of the bank’s name on genuine notes will be raised to the touch, while counterfeit ones will feel smooth.