TWO men have been arrested after reports of a cashpoint scam that used fake bank cards to siphon off thousands of pounds from unsuspecting savers' accounts.

Police arrested the pair in Swindon town centre after a tip-off from a member of the public.

Officers could not reveal the exact amount that had been withdrawn but said it was more than £1,000.

The duo were arrested just before 2pm yesterday.

PC Andy Alexander said police had recovered more than 10 phone cards which had had cash card details copied onto their magnetic strips.

Police were given the nod after someone reported two men of Eastern European appearance hanging around a cashpoint using a number of different cards and withdrawing large amounts of money.

PC Alexander, the community beat officer in Swindon town centre, said: "We found a substantial amount of phone cards that have had the magnetic strip changed on them.

"The identity had been stolen and put on a phone card. Each of them also had a large wedge of £10 and £20 notes."

Police believe the details from the bankcards would have been taken when they were used in a shop or garage.

The two men who have been arrested are from London PC Alexander said that criminals often come to Swindon from London because they will not be recognised on CCTV.

Police have praised the man who reported the incident and asked any other members of the public who saw two men acting suspiciously near cash machines on Thursday to call in.

Yesterday's scam could have sucked thousands of pounds out of peoples' accounts.

Police were last night questioning the men and they were also checking their immigration status.

The next step in the inquiry is to find out whose bank accounts the men were draining, which officers say could take several weeks.

Anyone who has any information on the incident should call Swindon police on 0800 408 7000 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.