A MAN who paid for a new iPad with fake money has been caught on CCTV.

The film was captured by a family who sold him the item - but later found out it had been paid for with fake £20 notes. 

Robert James said he invited the potential buyer into his Malvern Link home on Sunday, October 9 after his sister put up an ad for the device on Facebook marketplace.

The buyer paid £500 for the iPad in £20 notes and made his way out of Mr James' house.

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It wasn't until later that Mr James became suspicious about the money and contacted his bank.

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Caroline Bateman, who put the ad on Facebook marketplace, said: "I can usually suss out if something is a scam. 

"But I had taken a couple of pictures of the iPad and it had been online for a while.

"The man messaged me and said he was interested and was asking how much it cost.

Worcester News: CCTV footage in Malvern CCTV footage in Malvern (Image: CCTV)

"He was also willing to come down and collect it.  

"I had had some interest in the item but never had somebody come with a decent offer."

They settled on a price and the man made his way to the Park Close home, in Malvern, that evening. 

Mrs Bateman told her brother to be careful when inviting a stranger into their home, but said she didn't think they would be left with £500 worth of fake money. 

"The man asked me if I would accept cash or bank transfer and I chose cash because it's just the safer option. 

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"He was a bit late because he had some trouble with the cash machine he used. 

"He counted out the money in front of my brother and then left. 

"My brother went to the building society and confirmed the money was fake. 

"And they reported it to the police.

"It's just bad luck my brother is my mum's carer and doesn't earn a lot of money. 

"Nothing like this has happened before, I thought he would have a look at the stuff and buy it if he liked it. 

"I thought everything would be fine, but it wasn't was it?" 

The incident was reported to the police on Tuesday (October 11) who confirmed the money was counterfeit. 

A spokesperson from West Mercia Police said: "On Tuesday 11 October we received a report that a man had been paid £500 for an iPad in counterfeit £20 notes.

"The transaction had been arranged via Facebook Marketplace."

"The police investigation is ongoing."