Police advise Highland businesses to watch out for ringing the changes
Police are advising small businesses in the strath to be vigilant following five reports of fraud in the Highlands in recent weeks.
Retail premises across the region have been subject to frauds, known as ‘ringing the changes’.
Individuals enter the premises with the intention of confusing staff by distraction techniques. They ask to exchange a quantity of money for different denominations or currency.
On receipt of the money, the customer changes their mind, gives the money back to the staff member and asks for the original bundle to be returned.
Only later does the staff member realise that the customer has kept back some of the notes during the exchanges, ensuring they leave with more money than they first entered the premises with.
This practice has previously involved foreign nationals.
A Police Scotland spokesman said: "Such individuals routinely target small convenience stores and sub-post offices, and generally work in pairs.
"Employees are advised to look out for unusual transaction requests from customers who are not regular patrons, asking to change large sums of money for different notes.
"During February, there have been five reports of incidents of this nature across the Highlands in Brora, Helmsdale, Inverness, Spean Bridge and Dornie."
He added: "Police Scotland have been working closely with retail premises over the past few weeks to raise awareness of this kind of crime and as a direct result can confirm that four men, two aged 21 and the other two aged 25 and 28, are expected to appear from custody at Dingwall Sherriff Court today.
"We would like to thank the public for their vigilance, as it is due to their assistance that has resulted in the arrest of the individuals."
Anyone with information concerning this type of incident or any similar retail crime should contact Police Scotland on 101. Alternatively, they can report information to Crimestoppers on 0800 111 555 should they wish to remain anonymous.
