Businesses in Inverness have been urged to be on their guard after recent reports of a fraud known as “Ringing the Changes”.
It 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, the fraudster deliberately confuses the staff member in order to obtain more money than they started with.
A recent incident saw hundreds of pounds obtained from a bookmakers in Inverness city centre on Thursday night.
Police are seeking to speak to a man described as being in his late 20s to early 30s and standing at about 6ft 1ins, and of medium build.
The man spoke with a foreign accent and during the incident was wearing a grey jacket and a baseball cap.
Inquiries are ongoing and officers are urging businesses to be on their guard against any further suspicious behaviour.
The incident followed two reports of the fraud at premises in Nethy Bridge and Boat of Garten, with a three figure sum taken from one of the businesses.
Police last night called on local firms to be vigilant against anyone asking for large sums of money being exchanged.
Inspector Alex Chisholm said: “It is better to be safe than sorry so if you are in any doubt politely decline the request and call the us if you have concerns.
“These types of criminals can travel widely employing these tactics so all businesses should be aware to the risks.
“Inquiries into the recent incident are ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact us on 101 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.”
The warning was made just days after police revealed Highland businesses had been conned out of almost £2.5million in so-called “vishing” frauds, where criminals phone up pretending to be from a bank.
Highland Hospice was one of the organisations targeted by the culprits, in a crime that was branded “despicable” by bosses.
