Fraudsters target York pubs in ‘ringing the changes’ cash scam

Two pubs have lost cash after being targeted by fraudsters using a scam police call ‘ringing the changes’.

This sees someone asking for a sum of cash to be changed into notes of a smaller denomination. While doing this they deliberately confuse staff so as to obtain more money than they originally handed over.

The first incident happened at around 10.30pm on Friday (January 16). The suspect entered a pub in York and bought a bag of crisps.

He paid for the crisps but then asked the member of staff to change £20 notes into £10 notes.

The man is described as a Middle Eastern or Asian, around 5ft 8in tall and chubby.

He appeared to be aged in his late 30s to early 40s and he had short black hair. He had two gold teeth, one was a lower canine tooth.

He wore a lot of gold jewellery, a black jumper and black trousers. He spoke in broken English.

Woman tries the same scam

A woman was involved in the second incident, which happened at around 8.45pm on Saturday (January 17).

Again, she entered a pub in York and bought a bag of crisps. When paying for the crisps she asked staff to change £20 notes into £10 notes. On this occasion staff refused and the woman left.

The second suspect is described as Asian, around 5ft 4in tall, aged between 40-50 years with long hair which was tied up.

She had four gold teeth and was wearing a black coat and carrying a beige purse.

Police are urging businesses to be vigilant following the two reports of fraud.

Anyone who can help identify the suspects or has any other information that could help can contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2, and ask for PC1711 Hannah McPeake.

You can also email [email protected].

Or pass information anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Please quote the North Yorkshire police reference number 12150009055.