Police are warning the public to beware of fraudsters after a man in Swindon was conned into handing over £400 for a laptop and a phone - only to find that all he had bought was a bottle of water.

The man was approached at 2.40pm yesterday in Manchester Road, Swindon by a man driving a green Ford Mondeo.

The victim was shown a grey rucksack containing a laptop and mobile phone which the man was selling. He told the victim that he wanted to sell them as his wife had just bought them but she no longer wanted them.

The two men agreed a price of £400 and then the victim went to the nearest cash machine to withdraw the money.

He returned to the green Mondeo and handed over the cash in exchange for the rucksack and the car drove off. Unfortunately, when he opened the bag he realised that it was full of cardboard and a bottle of water.

Police believe the fraudster swopped over the bags whilst the victim was not looking or when he was at the cash machine withdrawing the money.

A Wiltshire Police spokesman said: “At this time of year many families will feel under pressure to try to afford Christmas and may be looking for deals to save money. However, there are many criminals out there ready to exploit this and unfortunately, this victim fell prey to this fraudster, leaving him seriously out of pocket.

"If it looks too good to be true it probably is.

"This victim probably felt that this man was legitimate, as he even had some children in the car with him, but in fact he was just looking for someone to deceive.”

Police are appealing to anyone who might have information as to who the man in the green Ford Mondeo was. He is described as a white man in his late 20s, 5ft 11 tall with black hair and a local accent. There were two children in the car aged approximately 12 and 13 years old.

Anyone with information is asked to call 101, where the information can be left for PC Cath Hollands of the Crime Management Unit or alternatively, if you wish to remain anonymous please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111

Further information about the partnership Christmas safety campaign and the 12 online Frauds of Christmas campaign is available at by clicking here.