RESIDENTS are being warned not to buy items such as laptops and camcorders from street vendors following a rash of deception scams.

The warning comes after several people reported being decieved into handing money over for what later turned out to be empty boxes.

According to police, the tactics usually involve a suspect approaching someone in the street either on foot or in a car.

The suspect will show the victim an item such as a laptop and ask them to name a price if they want to buy it.

Following negotiations, the suspect will usually break off and say the amount offered is too low and leave.

Often, they will return several minutes later claiming to have changed their mind and agreeing to the sale.

Once the money has been handed over, a package will be handed over and the suspect will drive away.

The victim is then left to discover the item packaging contains worthless items - including two bottles of water and a rolled up newspaper in several cases.

PC Garry Cook of north Kent police is personally investigating four incidents reported since the start of January.

PC Cook said: "These four are just the ones which have been reported - there may be many more.

"The advice is to buy your goods from a reputable source and not from a man who approaches you in the street.

"For a start you may well be buying stolen goods."

Anyone who is approached or does fall victim to the scam is asked to report the matter to the police on 01474 565 083.

  • The same scam is being linked to a bomb scare in Gravesend last month.

Shops in the High Street were evacuated after the lap-top style briefcase was spotted outside McDonald's restaurant on Valentines Day.

Police were called and a 50m area was cordoned off while the bomb disposal unit examined the item and carried out a controlled explosion on it.

According to PC Cook, the case contained two bottles of water and a rolled up newspaper.