The slick, well-presented thirty-something woman is using false heart-wrenching sob stories to catch staff off guard.    This enables her to obtain refunds for expensive goods she has actually just snatched off the shelves.   The thief struck at Colin James Fine Foods, the Maleny Coop, Maleny Music and HiFi and Amazink.

Details from her past scams suggest she targets younger members of staff and strikes at distracting times, such as late in the day when they are cashing up or cleaning prior to closing up.

Here's how the con works: She enters the store and while staff aren't looking steals an item from the store's shelves or hangers.    Our thief then approaches the counter staff and tells them that, for example, she had bought the item for a sick friend or relative who had tragically died before she could give it to them.    She then politely asks for a refund.   She made off with a $240 from a Mooloolaba boutique using this technique, which she has now modified to enable her to strike at a number of different businesses.

"She came in five minutes before we were closing,' said Amy from Colin James' Fine Foods.    "She told me her mother had bought some luxury oils from us but they were the wrong ones.    As the seals weren't broken I said it would be okay to get a refund."

Amy said she didn't realise the lady planned to do the transaction that day.   And while Amy was out the back vacuuming, the con artist stole the two most expensive products the store sells, approached Colin Cunningham to obtain a refund and fraudulently escaped with $85.

"She told Colin I had agreed to make the exchange, but I had expected her to come back another day with the receipts," an annoyed Amy said.    "She seemed so genuine because she had a knowledge of our luxury products - she knew we were one of the only places in the area to stock these luxury oils."

The workers at Colin James described the woman as in her thirties, casually dressed, with dark shoulder length hair, a pale complexion and dark eyes.

Businesses across the Hinterland should be vigilant in checking that any customers asking for a refund can actually display a receipt for the goods they have allegedly purchased.

"People must be careful about refunding items when the customer can't produce proof of purchase," officer in charge of the Maleny Office Sergeant Gary Ricks said.    "This is especially important in circumstances where the customer's identity isn't known."