THIEVES have been conning money out of shopkeepers in the latest scam to sweep Middlewich.

Police are warning shop owners to be on their guard following two incidents in the past week when fraudsters tricked the cashiers to hand over money in a scam that police dub ‘ringing the changes’.

PCSO Roger Need, from Middlewich CAT team, explained: “The thieves confuse the cashier with fast hand movements and by talking very fast and then they manage to con them out of money.”

The first incident happened in the post office in Lewin Street on Monday just after 10am when the trickster requested to change euros to sterling and conned the cashier into handing over cash.

A similar incident then occurred at around 5pm on Thursday in Bargain Booze in Wheelock Street.

PCSO Roger Need added: “We would just advise cashiers to be very careful when dealing with money at all times and if anything seems to be confusing or suspicious in any way then cease the transaction immediately and call the police.”

The fraudster is described as being a man of eastern European origin, small and aged around 30.

Anyone with information should call Middlewich CAT team on 0845 4586382.