Alert over laptops con

Police warn channel and customers to avoid bogus laptop sales firm

Police are warning channel players and end-users to avoid placing orders or making payments to a London-based firm claiming to be Laptops Direct.

The bogus firm, claiming to be from Kensington, recently printed a sales advert in the London Evening Standard newspaper, but the paper has since issued a warning asking people to contact the police if they had any dealings with the firm.

A police representative said: "We are investigating claims of fraud received in connection with the purchase of computers through a newspaper advert."

However, the scam is having a knock-on effect on a genuine firm called Laptops Direct, based in Glasgow.

Ian Barclay, internet marketing manager at Laptops Direct, said: "We have been successfully trading for almost three years and are shocked to learn of this situation.

"We have been working with both London and Glasgow police to protect our clients, our name and our industry from any fraudulent persons. We are encouraging people who may have information regarding this matter to contact the police."