A THIEF has conned hundreds of pounds out of kind-hearted residents by tricking them into exchanging counterfeit euros for pounds.

The man, who has struck a number of times in the Archway and Highbury areas, knocks on his victims’ doors and claims to be a neighbour or friend of a neighbour.

He then claims he has just returned from a holiday abroad and only has euros to pay a waiting taxi driver - and persuades the householders to swap them for sterling.

Unfortunately, the euros are fake and the whole story is a scam.

In all the incidents, the suspect appeared well spoken and well dressed.

- A 45-year-old man was arrested by officers from Highbury East Safer Neighbourhoods team on March 9 and has been bailed to return on April 26