BUSINESSES have been warned about a scam involving clever criminals who are swapping cash machines for their own ones.

Lanarkshire cops are concerned about the fraud after cases emerged in Edinburgh.

They say that criminals enter retail and hospitality businesses to swap the card machine belonging to the firm for their own one.

This means payments for any subsequent sales are being paid into the criminal's account.

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A statement from the division said: "Although we have not yet had reports of this happening in Lanarkshire, we want to alert local business to this fraud which has happened in the Edinburgh area.

"Criminals are reported to have entered retail and hospitality establishments and swapped the card machine belonging to the business for their own one. This results in payments for subsequent sales being fraudulently paid into the scammer’s bank account.

"Business owners, please be vigilant about who is within your store and where they are.

"Be aware that criminals may attempt to use distraction techniques to commit this type of offence.

"Report anything suspicious to 101 or 999 in an emergency."