Fake iPad and iPhone Hustlers Hit Businesses

Two men have been going around businesses not far from Westchase along Hillsborough Avenue and selling fake iPads and iPhones, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office.

On December 11 at about 4:00 p.m., two men entered the Rice
Restaurant located at 7525 Hillsborough Avenue offered to sell people Apple iPads and iPhones at a discounted rate, according to a report released by the sheriff's office.

The suspects showed the victims real iPads and iPhones, but sold the products in shrink-wrapped boxes that were unopened. The victim purchased 4 supposed iPads and what was supposed to be an iPhone5 for $710 in cash.

Once the suspects left the store, the victim opened the boxes to inspect the merchandise and discovered that, instead of iPads, the boxes contained ceramic tiles in the same shape as an iPad. The tiles were wrapped in paper that had the image of an iPad printed on it. The iPhone5 box contained a charger, an ear bud set, a metal tool for opening the side storage card drive, and a phone. The phone was powered on, but read "no SIM card" at the top. The phone turned out to be non-operable and may possibly be a display model, the report said.

On the same day at 4:30 p.m., a male and female, entered  Silky's Beauty Supply located at 8555 Hillsborough Avenue in Tampa. Those suspects offered to sell 2 iPads at $250 each. The victim gave the woman $500 in cash for the products. The victim later opened the boxes and found that the boxes contained the same ceramic tiles.

The suspects are described as two black men ages 30-40 about 5'10-6'1 inches tall weighing 300-320 pounds. The woman is described as white, 25-35 years of age, approximately 5'4"-5'6" and 130-140 pounds.

It is believed that both swindles are related and are from the same group of
suspects working together, according to authorities.

Anyone with information is asked to call 1-800-873-TIPS (8477), or report anonymously online at www.crimestopperstb.com or text "CSTB plus your tip" to C-R-I-M-E-S (274637).