Conman's 'iPhones' are boxes of potatoes
A CONMAN is duping people by selling boxes of potatoes as expensive iPhones.
Police are hunting the man who is targeting people in the city after approaching them in the street.
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One victim was approached at Walton Street Market
Three people have fallen victim to the hoax.
After handing over cash for an Apple iPhone, they have opened the box to discover either potatoes or a bottle of water.
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Detective Sergeant Darren Rose, of the Priority Crime Team in Hull, said: “If a deal appears to be too good to be true, the chances are it is.
“Our advice is simple – if you want to purchase high-value property, such as laptops and high-specification mobile telephones, go to a legitimate dealer and do not enter into deals with strangers on the street.”
Humberside Police say the man approaches members of the public at random in the street, offering to sell them iPhones.
The first con happened on Sunday, June 17, when a man was approached at Walton Street market and was offered a deal for a laptop or a mobile phone.
After being shown a selection of iPhones, MacBooks and laptops and agreeing a price for a number of items, he was driven to a cash point by the suspect to withdraw the money.
A laptop bag was handed to the man but after the conman had driven off, the victim opened it to discover bottled water inside.
The second crime happened on Saturday, June 23, on the Kingston Retail Park and involved a man being approached by a man offering an iPad for sale.
The victim went to the bank with the man offering the sale and handed over cash in exchange for the boxed product.
The fraudster then left before the box was opened and afterwards the victim found a bottle of water inside.
A third victim was targeted outside Sainsbury’s in Spring Bank on Sunday when a man handed over cash for an iPhone.
Opening the bag after his purchase, he discovered it contained only potatoes.
Detectives believe all three cons may be linked and have appealed to the public for help to identify the man responsible.
In the meantime, people are being urged not to purchase expensive electronic equipment offered to them by strangers in the street.
Anyone with information about the frauds should call Humberside Police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
Comments
by piddsta
Thursday, July 05 2012, 5:03AM
“Love the pic of the Market - 'stick a pony in me pocket, I'll fetch the suitcase from the van'.:-)”
by gerry_gilbert
Tuesday, July 03 2012, 4:09PM
“Conmen can be very persuasive, and people often do want to be gulled. However, anyone with any knowledge of Apple products would know that they are only ever sold through recognised outlets as Apple keep a very close control on products from manufacture through distribution to sale. That's one of the reasons that Macs, iPads and other Apple products are at least 20% dearer than the competition (PCs, tablets, etc). It's rare, if ever, that you'll find a discounted Apple product. For that reason, the conman is likely to be nicked soon as any punter knowledgeable about Apple kit is bound to tip off the cops.”
by piddsta
Sunday, July 01 2012, 9:23AM
“I bet whoever bought these got a right roasting from their partners when they got home.”
by hollydog2
Friday, June 29 2012, 9:54PM
“I can not believe people would fall for that one, the word idiot comes to mind, idiots get what they deserve, if he is caught he should be congratulated on a job well done,”
by lisat_22
Friday, June 29 2012, 1:29PM
“I can't believe that anyone was stupid enough to even allow themselves to be driven to the cashpoint by a stranger, they are lucky they are still here to tell the tale, it could have been much worse. I have no sympathy whatsoever for the victims.....”
by Logicisking
Friday, June 29 2012, 1:10PM
“Wheres the scamsters sense of humour, It would have been funnier if they were putting a couple of granny smiths in the boxes.
Perhaps actual apples would have eaten into their profit margins.”
by Logicisking
Friday, June 29 2012, 1:08PM
“If i'd been mugged off like this i'd have a real chip on my shoulder”
by keywally08
Friday, June 29 2012, 12:47PM
“I bought 2kg of Albert Roosters at the market and when I got home I opened them and found an Iphone ...... must have been a mix up !!”
by cheeseyrolls
Friday, June 29 2012, 11:09AM
“Why would anyone think legitimate Apple products would be sold at the Walton Street market of all places, everyone knows it's the knock of capitol of the area. Besides, why would you not look in the box before you hand your cash over? Idiots!”
by piddsta
Friday, June 29 2012, 10:47AM
“He's not all bad, apparently the potatoes are legit.”