Coatbridge shops face con men warning

Nov 26 2008 by Wendy Scott, Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser

SEVERAL stores in Coatbridge have been targeted by fraudsters over the past few days where they have tried to obtain cash.

The suspects entered three stores in the town on Thursday, November 20 between 4-5pm on the pretence of purchasing expensive goods.

Once the goods were selected by the suspects they offered to pay for the goods with cash. By causing confusion to the staff, the suspects attempted to pay for the goods with insufficient cash.

On two occasions the staff members spotted the deception and managed to stop the fraud but on one occasion the suspects managed to obtain a three figure sum.

The suspects are described as being two males of Asian appearance. The first suspect is described as being between 25-30-years-old, about 5’6” tall, of slim build, dark brown hair and wearing a white tracksuit and a striped jumper with dark denims.

The second suspect is older at about 40-45-years-old, of heavy build, about 5’6” tall, dark brown hair and wearing a brown leather jacket and a beige top and blue denims.

PC Dougie McFadzean, community safety officer at Coatbridge Police Office, is warning all shop workers and managers to be alert.

He said: “They have been clever in the way they have executed the crime. I would urge all shop staff to be extremely vigilant when dealing with large cash sales.”