Home   News   Article

Swindle alert to Highland businesses after latest sleight of hand fraud reported


By Hector MacKenzie

Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.



Click here to sign up to our free newsletters!
Police have issued a description of a man they wish to speak to after a reported swindle involving a sleight of hand trickster.
Police have issued a description of a man they wish to speak to after a reported swindle involving a sleight of hand trickster.

TRADERS are being urged to be on their guard during the busy Easter period after another report of a sleight of hand cash fraud dubbed "ringing the changes".

The warning was made by police – who have issued a description of a man they wish to speak to – after the latest incident in the Highlands which has seen a retail premises in Inverness report an alleged swindle.

This type of fraud involves a person asking a member of staff to exchange a large sum of money for them into notes of smaller denominations or a different currency.

While doing this they deliberately confuse the staff member assisting with the transaction in order to obtain more money than they started with.

An incident was reported around 3.15pm on Friday at what police described as "a retail premises in the Slackbuie area of Inverness". A sum of cash was reportedly stolen using this method.

Officers want to speak to a man in connection with the incident, described as being in his mid-30s, short light brown hair, worn to the side, medium build, around 5ft 7in to 5ft 10 in height, clean shaven, and wearing a beige short sleeved T shirt, and dark coloured jeans.

Enquiries are ongoing and police are urging businesses to be on their guard against any further suspicious behaviour.

Inspector Les Davidson said: "All business owners and their staff should be alert and aware to this type of scam. In particular you should watch out for anyone asking for a large sum of money to be exchanged into smaller notes or into a different currency..

"These unscrupulous criminals employ sleight of hand to leave with more money than they started with and it is possible they will target a busy period which can provide an ideal opportunity to confuse or distract you.

"It is better to be safe than sorry and if you are in any doubt consider asking another colleague for assistance or politely decline the request and notify the police.

"This type of criminal tends to travel widely employing this scam and I would urge people throughout Inverness and across the Highlands to be aware of the risk."

Anyone who has information that could assist with this inquiry is encouraged to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting reference NN2628/19 or any anonymous information can be passed to Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.


Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.



This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies - Learn More