People buying bargain priced televisions are discovering they have actually bought a box of bricks in an old scam that is back on the streets of Croydon.

Croydon Council’s trading standards team has received several complaints about suspicious looking people hanging around Coulsdon town centre and trying to sell items from the back of a white Ford Transit-type van.

If people do part with their money then when they get the ‘televisions’ home they find they have bought a box of bricks or a broken television.

People have also been targeted by a man, said to have an eastern European accent, selling iPhones on the street.

These are also found to either not work or have been stolen.

Cabinet member for communities, safety and justice, Councillor Mark Watson said: "The old adage that if something looks too good to be true, it invariably is, is particularly pertinent when applied to the purchase of goods from the back of a van, or from somebody who approaches you on the street.

"The best advice is to firmly say ‘No, thank you’ and walk away.

"That way, you’ll not feel that you’ve been fooled - and you’ll still have your money in your pocket."

Anybody approached with the offer of cheap electrical goods is asked to make a note of the seller’s description and as much information about the van, including registration number, as they safely can, and report the matter to the council’s trading standards team on 020 8407 1311.

Alternatively, call the police.