This article is based on public alerts issued by Police Scotland and Falkirk Council

Running a busy bubble tea shop means dealing with a high volume of transactions every day. When the "rush hour" hits—usually after school or during lunch breaks—your staff is focused on getting orders out quickly. Unfortunately, fraudsters know this, and they often target cash-heavy, fast-paced retail environments like ours.

We are issuing this alert following a recent warning from Police Scotland and the Falkirk Council (September 2025) regarding a circulation of counterfeit £20 notes. While the report originated in Scotland, these notes often travel quickly across the UK.

Here is what you and your staff need to know to protect your profits.

What is Happening?

Authorities have seized several fake £20 notes recently. These are not high-quality forgeries; they are described as "poor quality copies," but in a dimly lit shop or a busy queue, they can easily be mistaken for real cash if staff aren't vigilant.

Key Characteristics of the Fake Notes:

• Texture: They feel like cheap paper, lacking the unique "crisp" feel of genuine polymer notes.

• No Raised Print: Real notes have raised intaglio printing (e.g., "Bank of England"). The fakes feel completely smooth.

• Missing Holograms: The holographic images do not change or have the correct 3D effect when tilted.

• Barcode Issue: All counterfeit notes identified in this specific batch carry the same barcode number.

Why Bubble Tea Shops Are Vulnerable

As a shop owner, you know that a £20 loss isn't just £20. To make up for that loss, you have to sell significantly more cups of tea.

Bubble tea shops are specific targets because:

1. Low Ticket Value: Perpetrators often buy a single drink (£5-£6) with a fake £20 note to get clean, real cash as change.

2. Younger Staff: Many frontline staff are students or part-timers who may be less experienced in spotting counterfeit currency.

3. Speed: The emphasis on speed of service can lead to skipping security checks.

Action Plan: Train Your Staff Today

Please share this checklist with your team immediately. It takes less than 5 seconds to check a note.

1. The "Feel" Test

The most obvious giveaway is the texture. Polymer notes should feel smooth but durable, not like standard printer paper.

2. The "Tilt" Test

Tilt the note from side to side. Check the hologram image change. On a genuine £20 note, the image changes between a "£" symbol and the number "20". The window should be see-through and contain a portrait of the Queen (or King, depending on the note version) and a metallic building (Margate Lighthouse).

3. The UV Light Test

If your POS system has a UV light, use it. Under ultraviolet light, the number "20" should appear in bright red and green. The fake notes currently circulating do not have this feature.

What to Do If You Spot a Fake

If a customer hands you a note that you suspect is fake:

• Do not accept it. Politely hand it back and ask for another form of payment (card or another note).

• Do not put yourself in danger. If the customer becomes aggressive, decline the sale and let them leave.

• Report it. If you end up in possession of a fake note, give it to the police (Call 101). Do not try to spend it; that is a criminal offense.

Last Sip

At Boba Buzz, we supply you with premium ingredients like our 8.5mm Tapioca Pearls and Popping Boba to help you make sales. But we also want to ensure you keep the money you earn.

Stay vigilant, check your cash, and keep brewing!