DRAMATIC video shows the moment a postmaster ruined a conman’s day – leaving the crook on the run from police and almost £800 out of pocket.
The swindler is seen using remarkable sleight of hand to hide hundreds of pounds from a bundle of notes he returns to Aumir Javed.
But when the prudent postmaster decides to count the cash again the fraudster’s nerve fails and he eventually flees, leaving behind all the money he used in the scam.
Mr Javed, who runs a post office in North Berwick, East Lothian, shared the video in a bid to warn others about the scam.
The CCTV footage, from Friday, shows the crook hand over 900 Euros and ask for it to be exchanged for Sterling.
Mr Javed passes £790.33 back under the security screen. The criminal then claims he has changed his mind and asks for the Euros back.
In a fraction of second, he transfers around £300 from the bundle to his left hand, before passing the Scottish notes back to Mr Javed.
The trickster assumes the postmaster will simply hand the Euros back and he will be £300 up on the deal.
But as soon as the vigilant postmaster starts counting the Scottish notes again, the conman realises the game is up, nonchalantly produces the hidden notes, and passes them back.
Mr Javed accuses the customer of fraud, says he is calling the police, and refuses to hand back the crook’s stash of Euros.
The 39 year-old postmaster said the con artist made increasingly desperate pleas for his money back and fled moments before officers turned up.
Speaking about the clip, Mr Javed who’s worked in the post office at North Berwick for 11 years said: “It’s the first time something like this has happened to me in the shop.
“Normally there’s another staff member working here with me but I was on my own that day and I was worried he would become violent.”
He added: “I wanted to put the video up to warn other people about this scam in the area. My advice to others would be always keep the money in clear view and count it in clear view.”
Mr Javed continued: “I used what is called a walk away technique and ignored him and pretended to call the police but when he didn’t walk away I had to really call them. I noticed his English improved drastically at that point.”
Posting the clip online, he wrote: “Man tries to use sleight of hand to con money from staff member. It goes wrong for the fraudster when the staff member catches him out. Fraudster runs off without his money.”
Viewers commended Mr Javed’s conduct.
Helen Russell said: “Perfectly handled, too, I’d have probably got suckered by that.”
Dave McGregor worte: “Wow great work there by the postmaster.”
Alice Mchollan commented: “Well done to the postmaster! Hope they catch the chancer…”
A Police Scotland spokeswoman said: “Police in East Lothian are asking business owners to be vigilant after an attempted distraction theft from a business premises in North Berwick.
“The incident happened around 12.50 p.m. on Friday 27th October in the High Street area.
“Anyone with information or who witnesses similar suspicious behaviour is asked to contact police immediately.”
