AN EAST Coast Demerara businessman was robbed by a confidence trickster who tendered three bogus US$100 bills, to pay for items bought at Stratsphey, then went into a waiting motor car and sped away.

The victim, who identified himself as Ravi, of Mukti Sarjam’s store, told the Guyana Chronicle it happened around 09:15 h after two men arrived in a white Toyota 212.

One of them, disembarked and, on entering the business place, asked Ravi whether he had saris on sale, indicating that he wanted two for his wife.

Confirming that he did have, Ravi said he took out the garments which cost $46,000 ($23,000 each) and after taking possession of the merchandise, the buyer, instead of paying in Guyana currency, informed that he was late for a flight to Trinidad and only had American money.

Ravi said the purchaser told him that accepting the foreign currency would make things easier for the traveller and he obliged.

Ravi accepted the three US$100 notes and gave G$14,000 change to the man, who visibly delighted, hurried back to the vehicle and left with the saris.

Ravi said, on receiving the payment, something about the notes felt funny but before he could confirm his suspicion, the stranger had departed.

He and another man tried to follow in another vehicle but to no avail as the car they were chasing quickly disappeared out of sight.

Ravi said he made a report to Vigilance Police Station in the district, also warning other shopkeepers to be on the alert, as the con man had much more of what appeared to be U.S. currency in his possession.