POLICE are re-iterating the need for residents to be particularly cautious when using cash machines after another Harrow man was stung by the 'Lebanese Loop' scam.

In the latest incident, a man used the hole-in-the-wall at Natwest Bank in Station Road, Harrow at 6pm on January 16. After inserting his card and pin, the machine appeared to retain his debit card.

He left the bank and later contacted his account-holding branch to find out what had happened and was told that the card hadn't been retained, but had actually been fraudulently used after that point.

At the time of using the machine, he recalls that two people were also standing in the queue. One was a 25 year-old white woman, with shoulder-length blonde hair, and was wearing jeans and a dark jacket. The other person was a 29 year-old white man, 5ft 10ins, with short dark brown hair , wearing a zip-up jacket. Harrow police are keen to speak to them to assist with their enquiries.

Inspector Aidan Gibson of Harrow Police said: "We have had a number of people fall prey to the Lebanese Loop scam. They use their card and think it has been retained by the bank.

"However what they don't realise is that a special magnetic gadget has been inserted into the card slot, which actually makes it seem as if the card is retained.

"They walk away, the criminals involved pop out from wherever they are hiding nearby and hey presto, they empty your account. If your card has been genuinely retained a message saying so will flash up on screen. I

"If that doesn't happen and your card is retained then don't leave the cash-point. Even better if someone is with you, get them to stand guard by the machine, whilst you go into the branch itself to report it."

Any witnesses are asked to call the crime desk to help with any information on 020 8733 3114.

January 30, 2003 10:30