Point-of-Sale (POS) operators have been urged to remain vigilant against a suspected scam in which individuals allegedly wrap old, damaged car tyres to make them appear new before offering them as collateral in exchange for cash.

The warning follows a video circulating on social media showing a man who was reportedly confronted after allegedly attempting to use packaged tyres to obtain money from a POS operator.

According to reports about the incident, the man allegedly approached the operator and claimed he needed cash urgently. He reportedly presented tyres wrapped in nylon, describing them as new, and asked the operator to give him money while keeping the tyres until he returned.

The alleged trick was that the packaging made the worn-out tyres appear new, potentially convincing the operator that the items were valuable enough to serve as security for the cash.

However, the negotiation reportedly raised suspicion among people nearby. When the packages were inspected, the tyres were allegedly found to be old, worn and damaged rather than new as claimed. The intervention reportedly prevented the operator from losing money, although the man’s identity and the precise circumstances surrounding the incident have not been independently established.

POS operators are advised not to hand over cash based solely on a stranger’s promise to return or on the apparent value of an item offered as collateral. Any goods presented should be carefully inspected, and operators should decline the transaction if they cannot confidently establish the items’ condition and value.

Operators should also be wary of customers who create a sense of urgency or pressure them to make quick decisions. Where a transaction appears suspicious, they should seek assistance from trusted people nearby and contact the appropriate authorities rather than putting themselves at risk.