CHRISTMAS shoppers are being urged to be alert to stolen mobile phones being sold on the black market.

PC Anna Gavela, from Lancashire Police said the high-value items were being sold in East Lancashire by illegal traders to unsuspecting customers.

The officer said she had received an increased number of reports of mobile phones being taken and put the spike down to the pressures of the festive period.

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She said: “We have had reports of large numbers of mobile phones being stolen and we suspect it is because of the demand of Christmas.

“I would like to warn people that if they buy a phone that is not from an official outlet, that phone could be seized by the police and the buyer will have no rights to get it back.”

Among the platforms being used to sell on the stolen goods are online auction sites and social networking websites, PC Gavela said.

She added that word often quickly spread if devices were being sold cheaply.

But the officer also warned there were dangers connected with buying and using knock-off goods.

She said: “It is likely there will not be a warranty or insurance, which means the buyer could end up out of pocket.

“Also, if they suspect the property might be stolen, they could be prosecuted themselves for handling stolen goods.

“The phones might not be the genuine article and if they are fake, any cables might not meet the British standards and there is a possibility they could be dangerous.”

PC Gavela saidthere was often a jump in the number of stolen items being sold on at this time of year.

She added: “It is tempting as we are coming out of a recession to get something cheap, but it is not worth it.

“The potential consequences at best will be that you lose a Christmas present, but at worst could be that you end up being prosecuted.”

“If anybody has been offered a phone they think is dodgy or if they suspect where the items are coming from, they should report it to us.”

Call police on 101 with information.