News / ‘Ringing the changes’ scam
POLICE in Shetland are urging businesses to be wary following a recent “ringing the changes”-type scam.
The incident happened on the morning of Tuesday 12 September in the Brae area where a woman asked for various different amounts of change “in an apparent attempt to gain more money than she started with”.
While no money was gained, officers are looking to trace the woman involved. She is described as being in her 30s, about 5ft5in tall, of average build, and with long blonde hair which was in a bunch on top of her head.
At the time she was said to be wearing a white fleece top and leopard print pyjama bottoms.
Officers said “ringing the changes” offences typically involved a person asking a member of staff to change a large sum of money into notes of smaller denominations or an exchange of currency.
The fraudster then deliberately distracts or confuses the staff member in order to obtain more money than they stared with.
Police sergeant Martyn Brill said: “This is an unusual incident for Shetland and we are keen to make sure that businesses are aware of these tactics and on their guard against this type of approach.
“It is always better to be safe than sorry so if you have concerns please contact police on 101 rather than going through with the transaction.”
- Any information relating to the woman described can be passed to police by dialling 101 (quoting reference NL3413/17), in person at Lerwick Police Station or by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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