<h2>Hi</h2>

Warning on Laptop Fraud

14 Nov 2007 02:36 PM West Yorkshire Police is warning people across the county not to fall victim to an ongoing laptop computer scam.

Over the last few weeks, a number of incidents have been reported in which people - often students near to university campuses - have been approached in the street and offered a laptop computer for sale at a bargain price.

They are shown a real laptop and go to the cashpoint to draw out money. When they hand over the cash, they are given a laptop bag, which, once the sellers have left, they discover contains worthless items such as bottles of water or catalogues to give weight to the bag.

Police are warning people to be on their guard but also reminding them that they should never buy any goods offered to them in these circumstances, as they are very likely to be stolen.

Detective Inspector Steve Taylor, of the Economic Crime Unit, said: "We want to make people aware of this scam so they are not caught out, but we also need to remind people that they should not being buying any type of goods in these circumstances as they are potentially buying stolen goods, which is an arrestable offence in itself."

Anyone with any information about such incidents or with information on the fraudsters is asked to contact police on 0845 6060606 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.