POLICE are searching for a man who is getting away with thousands of pounds by carrying out a rent card scam.

During November alone he conned five shops in the Gwent police area out of £2,200 in just five days.

And now businesses in Worcestershire are being warned as it is believed he could be operating across the UK - and working with other people.

The man, who speaks with an Eastern European accent, goes into shops and asks for his rent card to be topped up with an amount of cash, often £440.

The card is actually a fraud, has been cloned and is linked to a pre-pay Mastercard.

Once the operator has topped it up at a Pay Point terminal the man goes to pay for the top up on his bank card, but it is declined.

He then says he'll go to a cash point to get the cash, but never returns. The offender is then able to withdraw the cash that has just been paid onto the Mastercard.

Anyone who suspects such an incident or has information about the man should call police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.