A HAUL of fake mobile phones has been found by police in a car close to the university campus.

Police found 20 counterfeit Samsung Galaxy S5s in Mayor Street on October 22.

They believe the owners, two men and two women from Leicester, had travelled to Bolton to sell the phones to students at bargain rates.

Officers found two men and two women asleep in a car in Mayor Street in mid-morning last Wednesday after a passer-by had thought their behaviour was suspicious.

They conducted a search and found the mobile phones before arresting the four people, all in their early 20s, on suspicion of theft.

Police initially thought they had stumbled upon a pricey haul, with the phones worth hundreds of pounds each if genuine.

The phones, which are marked as being from Taiwan and Korea, did actually work when tested.

PC Tony Lowe, of Bolton Central neighbourhood policing team, said: "We believe they have come to the North West to get rid of these items.

"We suspect that they are counterfeit and they are currently being analysed by experts.

"I believe, as they parked up near the university, that they were targeting students."

All four suspects have been bailed until mid-December pending further inquiries.

One of the men was already wanted for another offence.

PC Lowe stressed that people must not be tempted by the perceived bargains of buying expensive goods in the street.

He added: "Try not to buy expensive items from people on the street.

"You will not have any back-up if they go wrong and you do not know that the item is reflective of what the seller says it is."

Police are anxious to find out if any of the fake phones have been sold but have so far not heard of anything in the Bolton area.

If anyone has any information, or if you have bought one of the phones yourself, then please ring police 0161 8565619. - 324