Council warning to businesses over 'fake fines'

The council said scammers are posing as enforcement agents armed with fake fines and issuing them to businesses to pay immediatley.

A council spokesman said: "A man claiming he is an 'enforcement officer' from the ‘British Council’ is trying to con companies by saying they must pay a fine or various licence fees under the Licensing Act 2003.

"One unsuspecting business paid the scammer £300 cash for an Operation Incence. The council has also had reports of the man visiting a nail bar, a massage premises, a car wash and two restaurants."

Brighton and Hove City Council said it all of its licensing officers carry council photo ID badges and never take payments in cash as anyone having to pay a fine has 14 days to do so.

Anyone with information about these scams, have been approached by the man, or know who is carrying out these scams is urged to call the police on 101.