Appeal after fake notes used

We are appealing for information after a man used counterfeit notes to pretend to pay for a mobile phone in Stoke-on-Trent.

We were called at 4.50pm on Thursday 28 May to Carlton Avenue in Chell following reports of theft. 

A man pretending to be a genuine buyer attended an address at around 6pm on Wednesday 27 May after seeing an iPhone 16 Pro Max for sale online. 

The suspect handed over £640 in notes and the genuine buyer gave them the phone. 

The notes were later revealed to be counterfeit. 

We have carried out inquiries locally and are keen to speak to the man pictured in connection with the theft. 

If you recognise this man or have any relevant information, CCTV, dashcam or doorbell footage, call us on 101 or use Live Chat on our website, quoting incident number 733 of 28 May. 

To report anonymously, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.