Four men will appear at Inverness Sheriff Court today in connection with the alleged distribution of counterfeit banknotes in the Highlands.
Police had warned business owners in Easter Ross and Sutherland on Monday that it had received reports of fake £50 notes being used in the area.
The Storehouse Of Foulis eatery near Evanton reported that it had been targeted by two men, with one using the notes in the shop and another in the restaurant.
Police said yesterday that four men had since been reported to the procurator fiscal in connection with the alleged distribution of counterfeit banknotes.
Local officers and colleagues from divisional road policing unit stopped a vehicle on the A9 road in Ross-shire on Monday and detained four men aged 25, 23, 20 and 16.
The men, who are believed to have registered addresses in England, were due to appear in court today.
Detective Inspector Scott Macdonald urged local business workers to remain vigilant.
“Recently police have received a number of reports of counterfeit banknotes being used in the Inverness and Ross-shire areas in recent weeks,” he said.
“These are being tendered for low cost items in shops in the Highlands and later being found to be counterfeit currency.
“Police are advising those members of the public who are dealing with cash sales to bear this in mind and check high value banknotes before giving change.
“Anyone who deliberately uses counterfeit currency is committing crime and we will investigate all instances reported to us.”
Anyone who has any information about counterfeit banknotes or wishes to report having received one were asked to contact Police Scotland on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.