Kiosks selling portable phone chargers and accessories at train stations and shopping centres have been robbed of up to $10,000 in a counterfeit note scam.
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Vending machine operator Powerpod said it was left scrambling to reimburse customers who were shortchanged after its kiosks were targeted earlier this month.
The company said about 10 machines were “cleaned out” in the scam, which went undetected for more than a week.
Constable Carl Bernetzke said vending machines at Southern Cross Station and Southland shopping centre were targeted a number of times with fake $50 notes. He said thieves inserted counterfeit notes into the machines and then pressed the refund button, which returned $50 in coins.
Powerpod spokesman Tim McNamara said the kiosks were hit again after they were refilled with money.
“We refilled the coin changers before we realised what was happening,” he said. “They basically cleaned out all the money in all the coin changers plus I’m fairly sure they purchased a number of products.”
Mr McNamara said losses from the scam amounted to up to $10,000 and resulted in a “large influx” of complaints from people who were shortchanged.
He said the company was in the process of reimbursing customers and that it had bolstered security by replacing the note readers on machines.
Police are appealing for anyone who witnessed suspicious behaviour around the the Powerpod machines at Southern Cross Station between April 7 and 14.