Two men stole thousands from small businesses – by tricking card machines into giving them a refund instead of paying.
Abdullah Said-Ahmed, 29 and Tahir Mohammed, 30, told shop workers they needed to enter their pin into card terminals when they were asked to pay for goods.
But instead of entering a PIN, they used a card to authorise refunds to several different bank accounts, resulting in more than £5,000 being stolen.
They admitted two counts of conspiring to commit fraud and were sentenced at Bristol Crown Court last week.
They were caught on the M4 when police spotted their false number plates. Inside, they discovered expensive clothes and multiple credit and debit cards.
Further enquiries linked the three men to the refund scam and CCTV was recovered which showed how at least one of the men would distract the shop worker while the refunds were carried out.
A number of small independent businesses were targeted between February and March 2019 around Cabot Circus and the surrounding area with the men stealing thousands of pounds.
Said-Ahmed was given a 14-month suspended prison sentence, while Mohammed was jailed for nearly two years, suspended for 18 months. Both were ordered to carry out community service.
A third man, Omar Said-Baker, 30, remains on the run after failing to turn up for sentencing.
Detective Sergeant Louise Sinclair said: ‘These three men brazenly stole thousands of pounds from small shops and cafés.
‘On one occasion, they refunded more than £5,000 from an independent café.
‘I hope this investigation reassures small business owners that no matter how complex an investigation might be, we will do everything we can to ensure those who harm people’s livelihoods will be held to account.
‘I also hope this case reminds shop workers of the need to be vigilant, to not allow customers to handle PDQ machines and the importance of reporting suspicious behaviour or criminality to us.’
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