A SHOP owner who fell prey to two tricksters is warning other businesses to be on their guard.

Jon Li, who owns Billericay Computers, in Crown Yard, on the town’s High Street, was working in his shop when the two con artists came in.

One of the men picked up a wireless USB adapter and, to distract Mr Li, began asking him questions about the product.

While Mr Li’s attention was focused on speaking to the man, his accomplice crept behind the till and helped himself to the victim’s £200 HTC Desire mobile phone. The pair then fled the shop.

Mr Li, 49, who has owned the store for nine years, said he was shocked when he later discovered the phone was missing.

He said: “When I went to leave for the day I went to pick up my phone, saw it was gone. I knew it had been nicked.”

Mr Li now wants other traders to be on their guard.

He said: “I would hate this to happen to other shopkeepers.”

The two men are both described as Asian and both spoke very bad English.

Police are now probing the theft.

A spokeswoman for Basildon police, said: “We would advise people who work and shop in any town to be mindful of anyone distracting them.

“Keep all of your belongings secure at all times, and particularly in the run up to the busy shopping period, stay alert of your surroundings and report anything suspicious to police immediately.”

Anyone with information about the theft can contact police at Basildon on 101.