Downtown Tauranga is warning hospitality businesses in the CBD to be wary of a possible scam in the area.

The warning comes after a local restaurant received numerous phone calls from a man calling himself ‘John'.

The man claims to have ordered a takeaway hamburger from the venue, which allegedly had tomatoes on.

He goes on to say he is allergic to tomatoes, and was unable to eat it.

Further investigation revealed there were no takeaway meals ordered the night in question.

The man came into the restaurant the following day and demanded a refund. When asked for his contact details he did not want to give them and walked out.

He is described as being 190cm tall, with dark skin and black hair, aged somewhere in his 20s and wearing a ‘Crooks 44' jersey.

Downtown Tauranga recommends any businesses approached in a similar manner to investigate any allegation and ask specific questions before handing over a refund.