BANK customers are being warned to take extra care when using cash machines after a fresh outbreak of a con trick known as the Lebanese Loop.

BANK customers are being warned to take extra care when using cash machines after a fresh outbreak of a con trick known as the Lebanese Loop.

A man from Gazeley, near Newmarket, was using a cash machine in the town's High Street when the display stated there was an error and he should remove his card.

The machine failed to return the card and the man left the machine assuming there was a fault and that it would be returned to him at a later date.

However, on checking his statements he found the card had been used to purchase items on several occasions in London and Essex.

It is believed a strip of metal had been placed in the machine to prevent his card being returned but removed once he had gone to allow it out.

A few days later a 32-year-old man was using an ATM machine in the High Street, Newmarket, when a male approached him from behind.

Police said the man became suspicious and covered the keypad as he typed in his PIN number. But his card became stuck in the machine and bank staff who helped him retrieve his card found a small metal strip in the slot which stopped the card being returned.

Detectives now want people using cash machines across west Suffolk to be extra-vigilant.

The first incident happened between 2.30pm and 3.30pm on February 15 and the second at just after 5pm last Friday.

The man who approached the bank customer from behind was white with olive or light tanned skin, of medium build, aged in his mid twenties with light green eyes and short dark hair. He was wearing a three-quarter length dark jacket and a black turtle neck top.

A Suffolk police spokesman said the man may have vital information.

He appealed for anyone who was in the area and noticed anything suspicious to telephone police on 01284 774 100 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.