Appeal after fake notes used to buy bike, St Ives

We are appealing for information after counterfeit cash was used to purchase a motorcycle in St Ives.

The owner posted the electric off-road bike on Facebook Marketplace for £4,700 and was contacted by an interested buyer.

A man, aged around 19, arrived to collect the bike at an agreed meeting place in the Penbeagle area of the town and handed over the cash.

But when the seller took the money to the bank he was told all of the notes were counterfeit.

It is believed that the bike, a black Sur-Ron Ultra Bee, has since been offered for sale around St Ives and the buyer has removed his profile from Facebook.

Officers investigating the fraud on 23 January are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information which may assist with their enquiries. They would especially like to hear from anyone who may have been offered the bike for sale.

Please report information via the Force website or by telephone on 101, quoting crime reference 50260019206.

Information can also be passed anonymously to independent charity Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555111, or via www.crimestoppers-uk.org

Members of the public are asked to be on their guard when selling items for cash from individuals they do not know. Advice on how to check if banknotes are genuine can be found at: How to check your banknotes | Bank of England