A prominent TikTok personality has issued a stark warning to retailers in Birmingham, claiming the city is currently 'full of counterfeit notes'. The alert comes amid the busy January sales period, a prime time for fraudulent activity.
Social Media Star's Counterfeit Cash Demonstration
Manny Malik, the marketing director for the family-run Malik Butchers in Wolverhampton, used his platform to highlight the issue. The shop, opened by his grandfather in 1970, has gained fame online with over 50,000 followers for its daily live streams and engaging content.
On Sunday, December 21, Malik visited Wings 101, a fried chicken shop in the Yardley area of Birmingham. In a now-viral TikTok video, he used both genuine and fake £20 banknotes to demonstrate key differences, aiming to educate local business owners.
Three Crucial Tips to Spot Fake £20 Notes
Addressing shopkeepers directly, Malik provided a simple, three-point guide to identifying counterfeit currency without needing a specialist machine. His advice focuses on easily visible security features often missing on fakes.
Firstly, check the holographic window. On a legitimate polymer £20 note, you should clearly see the numeral '£20' imprinted within the metallic window. Malik pointed out that on the counterfeit version he examined, this area was 'completely empty'.
Secondly, examine the yellow foil patch. This feature, which contains the coronation crown, should be sharp and well-defined on a real note. Malik observed that on the fake, the print was noticeably 'super-blurred'.
Finally, tilt the note to see the moving image. At the bottom of the genuine note, the image should switch between the word 'Twenty' and 'Pounds' as you refract the light. The counterfeit note failed this test, simply displaying the static number '20'.
A Call for Vigilance in the Retail Community
Malik urged viewers to save and share his video to help protect businesses from being defrauded. His warning is particularly timely as the post-Christmas sales see a high volume of cash transactions, and retailers may be operating under increased pressure.
While Malik's butchery is based in Wolverhampton, his focus on Birmingham suggests a concerning trend of counterfeit circulation in the wider West Midlands region. His use of social media to spread a practical, educational message underscores how community figures are leveraging online platforms for public awareness campaigns.
The video serves as a crucial reminder for all cash-handling businesses to remain vigilant and train staff on the basic security features of UK banknotes, especially during peak trading periods.
