Student conned out of £1,200 after buying 'Apple Mac Pro' but ending up with lemonade
Shoppers have been warned to stay alert after a student spent £1,200 on an Apple computer and three iPhone 11s – but ended up with two bottles of lemonade.
The Sandwell College student, who also works as a joiner, opened up about the “embarrassing” ordeal on Facebook and admitted it was “an expensive lesson to learn”.
He said he had been approached by a man next to the Sixth Form college in Queens Square, West Bromwich, offering to sell him the high-value products.
Dre Twenti, who lives in Tipton, explained: "Me and my girlfriend were approached by a guy next to the sixth form centre in West Bromwich.
"I was asked if I’d like to buy a laptop which I thought was dodgy but still went and had a peek, it was a Apple Mac Pro.
"He also had few other items so I asked to take a look – three iPhone 11s.
"He showed me all the receipts which were brought from Liverpool Apple store, now I just had to withdraw the money.
"I managed to get £700 in cash then he said the rest I can purchase from JD [JD Sports] as he needed stuff anyway. So I did, £500 pound worth.
"Got back to his car and we were greeted by an accomplice. He told me to check the items again which I did.
"So I proceeded to count the money as he passed the bag to my partner supposedly carrying the items.
"They both shook my hand and got on their way as I felt happy with my new purchases. Got home to open the bag to two lemonade bottles and cardboard. It’s an expensive lesson learn."
'I'll put my hands up'
The 24-year-old shared his ordeal on neighbourhood Facebook group Wednesbury Updates and while he received some support, many people have questioned how he could fall for "such a scam".
He added: "I’ll honestly put my hands up and say it was a lesson learnt but an expensive one, they must of switched bags.
"This was done professionally. He seemed genuine. So don’t be fooled. Because I was. But that will only ever happen to me once."
Sandwell Council has urged other shoppers to be wary.
Councillor Farut Shaeen, Sandwell Council’s cabinet member with responsibility for trading standards, said: "Trading Standards receive hundreds of complaints from people who have bought goods following high-pressure selling.
"Our advice is never to deal with cold callers or people offering deals that are hard to believe.
"These unscrupulous people will usually be very persuasive and often catch you when your guard is down and their only aim is to get as much money as possible from their victims.
"It is difficult to make a good buying decision in the street and we would say be suspicious.
"We are always keen to be contacted by anyone who has been targeted in this way and officers may be able to respond to incidents of suspected scams, to help the victim, and take action against the perpetrator.
"We would encourage people to get in touch and we are always keen to have information about what happened.
"You can report incidents to Trading Standards by calling 03454 040506."
