cabbies into handing over cash.

The man, who Police refused to describe, usually operates at night in the central parishes.

Acting Detective Sergeant Adrian Cook described how the con man worked.

He said: "He will start a conversation with the driver. He's very friendly, polite and intelligent sounding. He gains their trust.

"When they arrive at the destination the suspect says he needs to go somewhere to get money.

"He comes back and says the person (he was borrowing from) only had a $100 and the suspect asks the driver if he can break up a $100 bill. Then the driver thinks he's a nice guy and gives him five $20s. "The suspect says he'll be back in a second and he never comes back.'' The Police are warning drivers not to give over their money.

"It sounds like basic common sense but Bermudians trust it not to happen here,'' said Acting Detective Sergeant Cook.

"This guy plays on this trust and takes advantage of it. This sort of thing has always happened as long as there have been taxis but it happens infrequently. But we have had six complaints since the beginning of February but I know there are others -- I want these drivers to get hold of me to report it.

"Instead of just losing out on the cab fare which could be as low as $5 they are losing $105 bucks because they have trusted him with their money.'' Recently Bermuda Taxi Federation President Joe Brown made the same warning but he said many of the duped cabbies were too embarrassed to come forward.