Police are warning shopkeepers and petrol station employees to be on the look out for a scam artist targeting Surrey.

It follows two incidents where staff have fallen for the elaborate scheme involving changing large amounts of cash.

The first incident took place at the Shell petrol station in Aldershot Road, Guildford, on Friday, July 15, just before 5pm.

The man asked the cashier to change £200 worth of £20 notes into £10 notes, confused the cashier and then made off with £200 leaving only £100 with the cashier.

The suspect is described as an Asian man, aged 30-35, with black hair and wearing a black and white striped shirt. He was possibly with another man at the time of the incident.

Officers are also investigating a similar incident involving a man matching this description at the Shell petrol station in Portsmouth Road, Send, again on Friday, July 15, at 6.45pm.

A man has asked the cashier to change £180 worth of £20 notes into £10 notes, confused the cashier and then left with £180 leaving the cashier with just £100.

Detective Constable Mark Fordham, who is investigating the incidents, said: "Basically this man is causing so much confusion, possibly with the help of an accomplice, that he or they are able to take advantage of staff who are trying to do them a favour.

“Our advice would be to politely refuse to change any money and report any suspicious incidents immediately to the police.

“If you believe you have been targeted by a similar scam, we would also like to hear from you.

“We are carrying out a number of enquiries but we need the help of petrol station staff and shopkeepers to ensure this group does not continue to rip people off."