I have always wondered if hypnotists could use their powers for evil. I have also wondered if hypnotism can be used on just anyone, and I guess this case kind of answers both questions.

Italian police are hunting a man who hypnotises supermarket check-out staff and gets them to hand over all the cash in the register. In each case the last thing they remember is the man saying the words "Look into my eyes", before finding the till empty.

Full story and video of one of the incidents at BBC.