Level 3 · Mastermind Forgery

The Pink Puffin Stamp

A £90,000 stamp is swapped for a forgery under a security camera. The camera even caught the moment. So why is the wrong collector under suspicion?

At the Pembury Stamp Fair, dealer Cedric Vale offered the rare 1890 ‘Pink Puffin’ for sale. Buyers had private 20-minute viewings. By three o'clock, the stamp was a forgery. Find all 6 clues, compare the statements and the evidence, and work out who did it.

Print the six postersA4 or A3, with a QR code on every poster. Hide them in six places. Play on screenFlip through the six clue posters on your phone, tablet or TV – no printer needed. Name the forgerReady? Submit your answer and see the solution.

The suspects

Cedric ValeStamp dealer
Dr Ilse BrandtStamp expert
Hester CraneCollector
Kwame AsanteFair organiser
Mabel OstrowRetired postmistress
Rufus PengeCollector and speaker

Hosting tips

Number the hiding places, or write a little hint to the next spot in the box at the bottom of each poster.
Works for 2–30 players. Let teams compete, or play as one big detective squad.
Allow 30–60 minutes for level 1 and up to 90 minutes for level 3.