Students fall for potato PC scam

Salt and vinegar with your laptop, mate?

By Lester Haines • Get more from this author

Posted in Music and Media, 23rd February 2005 13:07 GMT

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South London students are being warned of a scam in which they may end up parting with up to 200 quid of their hard-earned cash for nothing more than a laptop bag full of spuds.

Police say two scoundrels have targeted Southwark unis and colleges, claiming to have a laptop or other mouth-watering piece of kit for sale at a knock-down price. They show their intended victims a PC in a car boot but, after trousering the wonga, hand over a case packed with potatoes.

Det Supt Jane Corrigan told the BBC: "If it sounds too good to be true, then it generally is. You could be spending hundreds of pounds for a laptop case with very expensive potatoes inside."

The variety of potatoes involved in the outrage is not noted. King Edwards are not highly regarded for their computing power, but are suitable for both boiling and conversion into chips. Just as well, because spuds are most likely the only thing the Sarf London scammees will be eating until the next grant cheque arrives. ®