TWO men are believed to be targeting cash machines in a scam to steal people's money.

Police in Colchester were alerted to the scheme, after a customer complained to his bank that he had been harassed at an ATM.

The man was using the machine outside the Lloyds TSB bank, on the High Street, when two black men approached him.

He had put his card and pin into the machine when one of the men told him it wasn't working.

The thief then put something, possibly a piece of coloured paper, across the machine and started gesticulating at the victim.

The customer became suspicious and tried to lift the piece of paper to see if his card was still in the machine, but the man said "no, no, no".

The man then took the paper away and walked off with his accomplice.

The customer went into the bank to tell them about what had happened and was told that £500 had been withdrawn from his account. He is not sure exactly how or when this happened.

Police believe this will not be the men's only victim and are warning shoppers to be aware.

Insp Paul Butcher, of the Colchester town policing team, said: "We would like to warn the public of this particular crime and ask them to take care when using cash point machines in the town.

"Please look around you when using a cash machine, particularly if you are on your own. It is also wise to check the machine itself, as there are various devices that can be used to capture your card or record your pin.

"If in doubt, do not use the machine and report your concerns to the bank immediately."