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The scammers present with large sums of money and ask to have them changed into different denominations according to Garda Sgt. Andrew Geary. Photo: 123RF

Shop and business owners in Fermoy were warned at the AGM of Fermoy Business Action Group this week to be vigilant and wary of individuals, understood to be eastern Europeans, visiting the town looking for money to be changed.

Garda Sgt. Andrew Geary explained their modus operandi, saying there had been two such incidents in the last month alone and two in the previous two months. The scammers present with large sums of money - usually around €500 - and ask to have them changed into different denominations - into €50 notes if they are in €20s and vice versa.

They then cause confusion by saying they've been left short of the money returned to them, and in the ensuing confusion, end up pocketing a couple of hundred euro of the business owners money.

Sgt. Geary pointed out that there is no legal obligation on traders to change money for customers. They can also put up notices advising that they won't change any bill over €50, he advised.

He also warned of travelling groups of criminals who target certain premises at particular times of year. Business owners should assign staff members to 'mark' anyone acting suspiciously, he said, adding that they are perfectly entitled to do so. He also advised them that local Crime Prevention Officer, John Kelly, is available to audit their business and speak to them, giving advice on how to protect their premises.

Anyone who wasn't signed up to the text alert system should do so, he further advised. People can give their number into the garda station. A new system is being developed which will see the Gardai team up with Community Alert, Neighbourhood Watch and the IFA to circulate information about any suspicious activity, Sgt. Geary told the meeting.

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