Stansted Airport Chamber of Commerce

Essex Police warn local businesses

Essex Police at Stansted Airport are warning local businesses to be aware of a group of Eastern European men and women who are travelling around east Anglia and ‘scamming’ people out of hundreds of pounds through sleight of hand and ‘ringing the change’.

They specifically hit bureaux de change outlets but also shops and their method involves changing predominantly £20.00 notes for either smaller notes or foreign currency and then explaining that there is a misunderstanding and that they wanted Canadian not American dollars, or a different denomination or some other similar confusing tactic.

These ‘con merchants’ are very good says A/Detective Inspector Vic Murphy from Stansted Airport. It is during the passing back and forth of the cash that the swindle occurs. We have had three incidents in the past 6 months but have linked these in to many more in and around East Anglia. “If you think someone is in the process of trying one of these scams on you, do not get flustered or allow them to control the situation. Before exchanging any money back, seek the assistance and support of a colleague and make absolutely sure that you count very carefully the money being handed back and forth.”

Finally, says A/DI Murphy, “please do take the time to report the incident to your local police. If we know what is going on and where, then we can take steps to catch these people and prevent others being ripped off.”