A YORK trader fears for the future of his business after being targeted by sophisticated fraudsters.

Phil Pinder said two men using specially-cloned cards came into his Cuffs & Co shop in Goodramgate last month, adding “after difficult months, this could end me”.

Mr Pinder said two different bank cards were used to fraudulently buy watches worth £865.

The funds were withheld by the bank and he said the fraud - along with a 'charge-back' bank fee - had cost him the equivalent of his shop rent for a month.

He said: “It’s a sophisticated scam, they’ve not just stolen a card or PIN, they’ve changed the way the card operates - not chip and PIN, but chip and signature.

“I took the cards out, checked it, checked the signature and they matched perfectly fine. It wasn’t until later when a PCSO came in asking if we had had two lads come in asking to buy a lot of stuff that we thought they might have been fraudsters.”

Mr Pinder said the scam meant the two cards - which were from different banks - were both linked to a completely separate account, siphoning money from another victim.

North Yorkshire Police said they were investigating the incident and warned retailers to check all card transactions, and report anything suspicious.

A spokesman said: “The incident happened at 2.50pm on March 5 when two men entered the store and purchased a number of high value watches from stolen credit cards.

“The men are described as both of stocky build, one man 5ft 8ins and Egyptian looking and one man 6ft 4ins Nigerian looking."

Mr Pinder added: “We had our toughest year in 15 years. We might not survive the year as Cuffs & Co anyway, and to be honest, this couldn’t have come at a worse time for us. Losing the charge-back now means we’re behind on the rent with the shop, and could be the final straw, really."

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 and quote reference number 12190051037.