police scotland2

Police are reminding local businesses to remain extra vigilant to an ongoing fraud known as ‘Ringing the Changes’ following an incident at the Haymarket Bar at the weekend.

Enquiries are underway after a man and woman used deception tactics in the pub in West Maitland Street at around 11.55pm on Saturday 2nd August, before making off with £100.

The woman firstly asked bar staff for a number of £20 notes to be changed into £10 denominations. The staff duly obliged but refused when they were then asked by the same woman to change the denominations into £5 notes.

Finally, the woman asked for the cash to be changed back to the original £20 notes but only handed back a proportion of the cash to the member of staff, who did not realise at the time that the pub had been short-changed.

Inspector Emma Croft, who is based at West End Police Station, said: “The couple involved in this incident have used confusion techniques to obtain far more money than they were due, and we are obviously keen to identify them as soon as possible.

“We would urge business owners and members of the public to be vigilant to such behaviour, and we would also ask anyone aware of suspicious behaviour to contact Police Scotland immediately.”

The first suspect is described as female, of Eastern European appearance, aged between 35 and 40, around 5ft 2in and of medium, stocky build. She had dyed auburn hair tied up in a bun and was wearing a black and white striped t-shirt, a black cardigan and jeans.

The man in her company was also of Eastern European appearance, aged between 32 and 38, between 5ft 7in and 5ft 9in, of medium build, and with short black hair and stubble. He was wearing a black shirt, black jumper, black shiny leather quilted body-warmer and dark trousers.

Anyone with any information that may help with the investigation or who witnessed the ‘Ringing the Changes’ incident in the Haymarket Bar should contact Police Scotland on 101 or phone the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.