Businesses Watch Out For Ringing The Changes Scam

25th March 2015

Police issue warning and appeal for information following 'Ringing the Changes' scams across Inverness-shire and Ross-shire.

Police are appealing for information following a series of 'Ringing the Changes' scams which took place at four local Post Offices across Inverness-shire and Ross-shire on Tuesday 24th March 2015.

This type of fraud, commonly referred to as 'Ringing the Changes' involves multiple requests for money to be exchanged into a different currency; while doing this they deliberately confuse staff so as to obtain more money than they originally handed over.

During Tuesday 24th March 2015, approaches were made to Post Offices in Inverness city centre, Drumnadrochit, Muir of Ord and Beauly. On all four occasions, two men were reported to have entered the premises and asked for an exchange of currency. During three out of four of the reported incidents, the men gained approximately £400 as a result of the transactions.

The men are described as Eastern European and early 30s in age. The first man is 5 ft 8 in height with short dark hair, medium to heavy build with dark stubble beard.

The second man is 6 ft in height with dark hair and 4 distinctive gold teeth, dressed in a black leather jacket and dark blue jeans and wearing a dark red baseball cap.

No details of vehicles are currently known.

Police would appeal to anyone who witnessed the incidents or has any information on the individuals or any vehicle they may have been travelling in to make contact on 101 or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.