Australia: Adelaide Supermarkets Burnt by Cigarette Plain-packaging Scam

Source from:  News Interactive Network/News Limited/News.com (au)  12/12/2012

A SCAMMER capitalising on the change to plain-packaged cigarettes has stolen $30,000 worth of smokes from 14 supermarkets across South Australia and Victoria.

On each occasion, the man has posed as a tobacco company employee to deceive supermarket staff into allowing him to remove discontinued stock because of packaging changes, police said.

He has told staff he will return immediately with new stock but has failed to come back each time.

Victorian Police detectives are leading the search for the man, who first struck at a supermarket on Anzac Highway, at Kurralta Park, about 1.30pm on November 8.

The man has stolen cigarettes worth more than $30,000 in 14 separate incidents between November 8 and December 3.

The man has also hit supermarkets at Findon, Kilkenny, Allenby Gardens, Royal Park, Findon, Ascot Park, Fulham Gardens and West Beach in Adelaide, as well as ones at St Kilda, Mentone, Hampton and South Melbourne in Victoria.

He is perceived to be of Caucasian appearance, aged in his 30s with a solid build, reddish-brown hair and an Australian accent.

He appears to be knowledgeable about the tobacco industry, is right handed and wears sunglasses on his head frequently.

Anyone with information should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Enditem