AN INVESTIGATION has been opened after a reported fraud incident in two Dorset towns.

The first incident occurred on June 28 when a man entered a pub and went to pay for items with a suspected stolen card.

He is believed to have tampered with the card machine and fraudulently increased the price, so it overcharged him.

The man then proceeded to point out the error and ask for a refund. The staff member did not realise that he then used a different card when the money, which was several hundred pounds, was repaid.

A similar incident occurred at a venue in Ferndown on the evening of Thursday, July 11, which is believed to have involved the same man and related to an amount worth several hundred pounds.

Now, a CCTV image has been released as part of the investigation.

Detective Constable Mike White, of Dorset Police, said: “We are carrying out enquiries into these incidents and are now in a position to issue an image of a man we would like to identify.

“I would urge anyone who recognises him to please contact us.

“I would also like to take this opportunity to urge bars and pubs to be vigilant when customers are making payments using a card machine.”

Anyone with information can contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55240107742.

Alternatively, independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling Freephone 0800 555 111.