They are crude devices designed by conmen to rob unsuspecting West Enders and banks out of their money.
So far they haven't worked, but police have been keen this week to show off two primitive money-grabbing contraptions which have been placed inside cash machines in the West End.
Both devices were recovered at or near to ATM-cash machines on Byres Road in the last two weeks.
In both cases, the devices activated security safeguards in the machines which prevented the money being dispensed and no customers were out of pocket.
The devices were designed by the conmen to prevent money being dispensed from the cash trays.
Con: A simple device was placed inside the cash machines by the conmen.
One was a simple ruler, customised with sticky tape so that when inserted inside the cash drawer money would be blocked from reaching the customer.
The second was a slightly more sophisticated yet homemade plastic insert that when placed inside the cash drawer would prevent money being dispensed behind two flaps cut in to the plastic.
Police expect in both cases the conmen would have remained nearby and on hand to retrieve the blocked money from the devices once the customer had moved away.
PC Phil Warner, part of Glasgow West End Community Policing Team, has been liaising with banks on Byres Road since the incidents were reported.
Warning: Customers should report anything suspicious at cash-machines to police and the bank.
But police say the public needs to be aware of what they should do in the situation where they think a cash-machine has been tampered with.
"We are taking no chances and are keen to advise the public about what they should do if they suspect a cash machine in the area has been fitted with a device such as these primitive cash-grabbers.
"In the Glasgow West End, these type of devices are not common, but people should always be aware of the potential for this type of crime to happen.
"Before entering your card into the slot look around to see if anybody is close to you. Look at the ATM: does it look like it normally should do? Is there anything that is alien to the machine, small cameras or maybe the slot is built out further than should be.
"If the answer to any of those questions is yes, contact the police and do not use that machine. If the bank is open, highlight the situation to a member of staff.
Watch: PC Phil Warner displays the two devices retrieved by police in recent days in the West End
"Should you find a device in the machine remain with the machine and contact the police. The police will want to ask have you used the card and who was around you and what the device looks like.
PC Warner added: "There have been a few reported cases of attempted frauds in cash machines in the last 10 days or so. Police are following various lines of enquiry via CCTV evidence to try and identify the possible subjects.
"At this stage there have been no compromised cards from complainers or the bank and there are no records of losses or frauds committed.
"However, it is clearly apparent that there are people in the community intent on committing this type of ATM-cash point crime."
