SCAM Several merchants in Sarthe fell victim to this scam last week
Current banknotes, inspired by architectural styles, will soon be replaced. — GILE Michel/SIPA
The technique claimed several victims in Sarthe last week. So much so that the gendarmes and the CCI judged good to alert the merchants of the department about the “theft at the rendezvous”. The scam is quite simple, and always starts with the same scenario: a person walks into a store and “pays for less than a purchase. 15 euros to; using a 100 or 200 euro note.
Once the change has been given, often in 20 or 50 euro notes, the false customer withdraws and asks for a change. recover the initial bet. But during the new exchange of money, he manages to keep a few banknotes before disappearing.
The CCI therefore calls for the “increased vigilance of merchants” and gives several pieces of advice: “ do not lose sight of the ticket(s) during the transaction. Don’t let yourself be distracted by a possible accomplice. Please do not collect the money until you have given change, etc.” She asks to systematically alert the gendarmerie in case of theft.