�North Londoners have been warned to beware of a fake cash scam after two women in West Hampstead were ripped off by a mystery fraudster.

Camden Police are warning people to look out for a white, 35-year-old man who has been exchanging bogus 50 Euro notes for pounds with members of the public.

The caution come after reports of two similar swindles in the West Hampstead area earlier this month.

In the first incident the suspect approached a 31-year-old woman asking for money to pay a taxi in Fairhazel Gardens.

He gave the victim a 50 Euro note in exchange for pounds, but when she checked later she discovered the note was a fake.

A similar offence was reported on the same day in Greencroft Gardens. A 28-year-old woman was near her home when she was approached by a white man claiming to be a neighbour. The man again said he needed money for a taxi and asked her to change a 50 Euro note, which turned out to be a counterfeit.

A spokeswoman for Camden Police said: “We urge people to be careful, if you are approached by someone suspicious or are concerned that you may have been the victim of a scam please contact police.”

Earlier this year the Metropolitan Police Service re-launched their new scam awareness website ‘fraud alert.’

The website provides a check list for people to identify whether they are being ripped off.

It also offers the prevention advice they need to stop users becoming victims of fraud. To visit the website go to www.met.police.uk/fraudalert/reporting_fraud.htm

Further fraud prevention advice can be found at www.met.police.uk/fraudalert. Anyone with information about the Euro note con is asked to call Camden Police on 0300 123 1212.