MERIDIAN —
The common denominator with a scam is that if it sounds too good to be true, then it is probably a scam.
Authorities with the Lauderdale County Sheriff's Department have taken into custody a man who they say was selling what appeared to be Apple product laptops and Ipads only to discover it was cleverly wrapped pieces of wood.
"Remember people, if someone comes up to you in a parking lot and tries to sell you something, chances are you are going to get rooked," said Ward Calhoun, chief deputy with the Lauderdale County Sheriff's Department. "We are holding this individual awaiting formal charges to be filed."
Calhoun said the sheriff's department received a call a group of people were approaching customers at truck stops around Meridian and hawking what they described as surplus laptops and Ipads. Covered in bubble wrap and showing a sale slip, the package looks legitimate but in reality, once it is opened it is only a piece of wood or a cheap glass frame.
Calhoun said the perpetrators of this ruse tell the unknowing customer they are salesmen with surplus electronics. They will sell the products at a drastically reduced price.
Monday, deputies responded to the Pilot Truck Stop in Meridian and got into a foot chase with one suspect. Deputies ran down the suspect and placed him into custody.
Calhoun said he has no idea how many people may have fallen for the scam.
Local News
Related Photos
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Things are not always what they appear to be when it comes to merchandise offered for sale, like these fake items disguised as a laptop and Ipads. Brian Livingston / The Meridian Star
Discussion
Scam tries to sell Apple products
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