by John Prince
Police are urging the public to be vigilant after a resident in Hornsea reported receiving a laptop through the post they had never ordered – a tactic officers say is being used by fraudsters in a range of sophisticated scams.
According to guidance from Report Fraud, unsolicited deliveries like this are rarely harmless mistakes. Instead, they are often part of schemes designed to steal money, access personal data, or involve unsuspecting individuals in criminal activity.
Humberside Police are now warning residents about several methods linked to unexpected laptop deliveries.
One of the most common setups begins with an offer of remote work, often advertised through job boards or websites. Victims are told they’ve secured a role and are sent a “company laptop”. They are then instructed to connect it to their home wi-fi and install software.
This device may already be compromised, and can contain malware or remote access tools, allowing criminals to steal banking details and personal files, spy on online activity, or use an internet connection for illegal operations.
In some cases, victims may unknowingly assist in preparing devices used in further crimes, leaving them at risk of being blamed.
Another tactic involves criminals buying high-value goods using stolen payment details.
The items are delivered to an innocent person’s address. Shortly after, they are contacted and told there has been a delivery error, with instructions to forward the package elsewhere.
If you comply, you could be handling stolen goods, assisting in money laundering, or exposing yourself to potential criminal charges.
In more complex cases, the delivery is only the beginning.
Fraudsters may later call, claiming they have detected suspicious activity on the laptop and offer to fix it.
This is a ploy to gain remote access to the device, install further malicious software, or even demand money for fake repairs.
Some scams combine fake payments with physical goods. A fraudster may claim to have overpaid for an item and request that you return the difference along with a laptop or other goods.
The original payment will often be fraudulent, leaving you out of pocket and potentially linked to further criminal activity.
Police are stressing that early action is key to avoiding harm, by firstly refusing delivery if you did not order the item.
Do not switch on or connect the device to your network and report the incident immediately to Report Fraud on reportfraud.police.uk or to Humberside Police on 101 or online.
These scams are designed to look convincing and often unfold over several steps. What appears to be a simple delivery mistake could quickly escalate into financial loss or legal risk.
Residents are urged to treat any unexpected high-value delivery with caution and report any concerns immediately.