A new phenomenon seems to have made its way to Malta, as foreign people are confusing shop owners with cash and end up making off with some extra money.

This system has been explained by Inspector Sandro Camilleri, Police Officers Union president, who said that shopkeepers should be more careful when dealing with such situations.

Writing on Facebook, Inspector Camilleri said that foreigners are entering shops to buy mobile top-up cards worth €5 with a €100 bill. As the change is being given, these foreigners take out more cash from their pockets and ask the shopkeeper to exchange them.

The confusion created with loose €10 and €20 bills is leaving shopkeepers some €30-€40 short, Inspector Camilleri explained.