SMOKERS have been warned not to pay for cheap cigarettes on the doorstep, after a conman tricked people out of money.
The man has struck a number of times in the Thornaby area over the past few weeks, offering residents 200 cigarettes for £15. He claims to have been sent by people's neighbours.
One woman on the Park Estate, in Thornaby, gave the man £20 but failed to get any cigarettes in return.
A police spokesman said: "He said he would be back with the tobacco and change but he never returned."
A similar incident happened in Grange Road in Thornaby.
The man is described as in his mid twenties, 6ft 3in to 6ft 5in, of slim to medium build and clean looking.
He was wearing a green or white baseball cap, a brown top and brown Lacoste trousers.
Anyone with information is asked to call PC Ashley Harvey on (01642) 302810
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