SMOKERS keen to buy cheap cigarettes are falling victim to conmen, police have revealed.

People are being encouraged to pay for cigarettes on their doorstep, but never see the salesmen, or the goods, again.

Police in Middlesbrough said the scam had been used half a dozen times in the past fortnight across the town.

But they also believe other victims may be too embarrassed to come forward because of their attempt to buy bootleg tobacco.

In some cases, the crooks are also bluffing their way in to homes to steal cash and valuables, or conmen are working together to cause a diversion to allow a burglary to take place.

Police are asking people not to let salesmen in and never to hand over money to people.

Anyone with information should call Middlesbrough police on (01642) 303126