DETECTIVES investigating a cash card scam on the Waterside are appealing for witnesses who might have seen a suspicious car.

A man and a woman were spotted ogling the cashpoint that was the focus for the scam at the Tesco store in Sizer Way Dibden.

A card skimming device fitted to a Royal Bank of Scotland cashpoint between May 4 and May 7 netted crooks more than £30,000. So far 34 card holders have reported they have been fleeced. In some cases more then £1,000 was stolen.

Police now want to speak to a man and a woman seen watching the cashpoint from a "grey Volvo-sized car", in a cul-de-sac off Rowhill Drive that overlooks the Tesco store. It is in the eyeline of the cashpoints.

The witness could give no description of the man in the driving seat, but said the woman was in her late 20s or early 30s, stocky, had black shoulder length hair and was wearing glasses.

The pair were spotted at about 8am on either Saturday or Sunday.

The hi-tech thieves fitted a cloning device to the slot where customers insert their bank cards to scan their electronic details.

It is believed a pin hole camera may also have used to capture the PIN numbers of unsuspecting customers, or thieves may have taken down numbers from over their shoulder.

The information was then downloaded to a computer and turned into counterfeit cash cards.

The scam is thought to be the work of an organised gang operating along the south coast.

They made unauthorised withdrawals with the replica cards at cashpoints in London.

Detectives are liaising with neighbouring police forces.

Anyone with any information can contact DC Neil Cheyne of Hythe CID on 0845 045 45 45 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.