A cashpoint scam revealed by the Uxbridge Gazette last week is far more widespread than first thought, with victims vowing never to use the ATM or store where the machine is kept again.

Following last week's revelations that the cashpoint at the Texaco garage and Somerfield on Lees Road, Hillingdon, was linked to an international fraud scam, the news-desk has been bombarded by dozens of victims coming forward to tell their stories.

The fraud was originally believed to have links solely to Malaysia, but people have come forward claiming their cards were used in Canada, Sri Lanka, Colombia and Uganda.

Darren Taylor, of Collingwood Road, Hillingdon, said: "This is far more than 50 people, this is mad, it is easily into the hundreds.

"I know 10 people alone who have been affected.

"I lost £136, which was taken out in Malaysia, but it isn't just that, it's the grief it causes of having to get new cards and pin codes ordered."

Customers have vowed to steer clear of the store, and one man who took his complaints to the shop, told the Gazette how he warned a queue of customers not to use the store and they followed his lead and walked out.

Wendy Belcher, of Bourn Avenue, Hillingdon, said: "My husband had his bank card details copied from the same ATM and he has still been charged a fee for the privilege of withdrawing it in Malaysia. We certainly won't be using that cashpoint again."

Somerfield said: "We treat such incidents extremely seriously. Our security teams are currently investigating reports that a small number of customers were affected by card cloning activity arising from visits to our store in Lees Road.

"We are liaising with the police and banks to establish whether there is a connection.

"While investigations are ongoing we have replaced all card reading equipment in this store and we are satisfied that our systems have been thoroughly checked."

Lloyds TSB, who operate the cashpoint outside the store, added: "The cashpoint at Lees Road, Hillingdon, passed several full checks by our security engineers following the recent article."

So far no arrests have been made, but a police spokesperson said: "As a result of liaising with Somerfield's security teams, it appears this criminal activity has been thwarted." 

* The Gazette wants to thank all our readers for their dozens of emails and calls regarding this matter and we regret not having space to print all the comments.