Highland Post Offices scammed out of hundreds of pounds in spate of incidents in Drumnadrochit, Strathpeffer and on the Black Isle; Police Scotland urges businesses to be vigilant

Scammers are targeting small businesses and cashiers in the Highlands, police have warned after incidents in post offices costing hundreds of pounds.

Multiple communities have been targeted - including Drumnadrochit, Strathpeffer and Culbokie.

Officers have urged people to be vigilant following ‘ringing the changes’ scams at post officers in Culbokie, Strathpeffer, Drumnadrochit and a fourth at Cromarty - although the crook left empty handed when they tried to pull the scam at the latter.

The crimes took place between Monday and Thursday of this week (March 3 to 6).

In each incident a man approached the cashier and asked for larger denomination notes for his smaller notes. When he gets the cash, he cancels the transaction but only hands back some of the money.

Inspector Daniel Jack, North Highland Area Command, said: "We are urging businesses to be extra cautious if you are asked to change large sums of money by a member of the public. We'd advise calling a colleague or supervisor over to double-check amounts.

“At this point we cannot confirm if the incidents are linked but, on each occasion, it is a lone man who is involved.

“If you have any information about these incidents, are someone who had this happen to or had an attempt at at their store but who has not yet advised police, then please call.

"Information can be passed to officers at Dingwall Police Station via 101 quoting ‘reference number 1926 of Wednesday, March 5’ or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111."

Officers have descriptions of the scammers from two of the locations. At Culbokie, the suspect was a white man, aged 40 to 45, who was 5ft 8in, of stocky build, with facial hair, and was wearing a beige coat, denim jeans, and a cap. It is believed he had what is described and an eastern European accent.

In Cromarty, the description given was of a white man, aged in his late 30s to early 40s, who was 5ft 2in tall, of medium build, with short brown receding hair. He was wearing a black padded jacket and dark trousers.

The different descriptions of the suspect suggest that more than one scammer may be at work.