Laptop scam link with bomb scare

2:32pm Friday 23rd February 2007

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POLICE are linking reports of men selling a bogus laptop from their car to a bomb scare in Gravesend last week.

Twice men have allegedly approached members of the public offering to sell them a laptop and disappearing before they realise it is a fraud.

Police say these incidents could be linked to a laptop case found propped against a bin in Gravesend High Street, which sparked a bomb scare on February 13.

This case was treated as a suspicious package and led to a controlled explosion by army officers.

Police are appealing for anyone who saw the case being left outside McDonalds to contact them.

There have been two reports of men negotiating a price for a laptop and then taking the buyer to a car to view their purchase.

Then the seller changes his mind about the agreed price and then asks for more cash.

The group of men then speed off, leaving the buyer to open the laptop case and discover it only contains paper and a bottle of water.

The man who sells the laptop is described as white, of a large build, wearing jeans and a t-shirt.

In the car are two men, described as white European, both of medium build.

One is aged between 35 and 39 years old and the other between 20 and 28.

PC Garry Cook, who is leading the investigation, said: "Obviously we urge people to be cautious if approached in the street and offered to buy valuable items in this way.

"We have had a number of complaints about this type of fraud and people should be wary if offered such an item without actually seeing the goods they are paying for."

Call 01474 565083.