Plymouth stores conned out of £300 in £20 note trick

POLICE are investigating a suspected fraudster who visited at least four stores in the city and made off with around £300.

Officers have received reports from the Costa Coffee shop and the William Hill bookmakers on Mutley Plain, the Upper 38 unisex hair and beauty salon on North Hill and the Aldi store on Union Street between 6pm and 7.30pm on October 9.

Shop staff have each told investigators a man produced a handful of £10 notes asking the member of staff if he could change them for £20 notes.

The man handed over his cash and took the £20s but then claimed he wanted 20p pieces.

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The staff handed back the £10 notes and the man exchanges them for the £20 notes.

However, staff later noticed they had not been handed back all of the £20 notes.

It total it is believed the man failed to hand back around £300 to shop staff.

Police are keen to trace the man shown in the CCTV still as he may have key information about the alleged fraud investigation.

Detectives also want to hear from any other shopkeepers who may have similar experiences on this day.

If you can assist police contact them on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 quoting crime reference number EC/12/9714.