Russian confidence tricksters have started manufacturing their very own iPhone clone, but it only runs long enough to convince the mark to part with his money.

Russian news site Cifrovik, which has a pic of the device, reports that conmen are equipping an iPhone shell with a backlit panel and some electronics that light up long enough to show the Apple logo. This can be enough to convince a dupe that it's a working iPhone with a dead battery.

A small bar of metal is added for weight, to complete the uber-phone experience.

Only when he tries to charge his new phone will the mark find that it isn't really bona fide must-have Apple gadgetry.

At least the battery won't fail when they most need it, and a sucker can always try to find someone equally gullible in the pub to take it off their hands. ®

Related stories

• Jobs not dead as Jesus Phone outsells CrackBerry (21 October 2008)
• Windows Mobile on iPhone a cruel joke? (14 October 2008)
• OLO promises Foleo-style iPhone-Air laptop combo (13 October 2008)
• EU battery rule may zap iPhone, blow away MacBook Air (7 October 2008)
• The ultimate mobile phone? (25 September 2008)
• YouTube fake tool dumbs down malware distribution (12 September 2008)
• Aaaagh, there's a thumb in my USB port! (9 September 2008)
• Actors paid to queue for Poland's iPhone launch (22 August 2008)