Policare are warning to be on their guard when buying goods from online auction sites.

The warning follows the theft and sale of £15,000 worth of Apple iPhone 4 handsets from Vodafone and the subsequent sale of the handsets on the internet auction site eBay.

Adverts were placed on websites, selling brand new, sealed Apple iPhone 4 devices that were selling for between £450 - £520 per handset.

Police have recovered iPhones from various parts of the UK including Berkshire, Hampshire, Northumberland, Sheffield, Suffolk, Surrey and Glasgow.

PC Nathan Adby said: “This joint investigation by Thames Valley Police and Vodafone was conducted following the discovery and identification of stolen goods being sold on the Internet auction site eBay. The iPhones were sold to several people across the UK.

“Officers were assisted by eBay fraud investigators who provided information which identified the suspected offenders and addresses.

"Police conducted search warrants at properties in Thatcham and Newbury and recovered £5,000 worth of stolen iPhones and large sums of cash totalling £30,000.

“Anyone who is found to be in possession of a stolen iPhone may find themselves liable to arrest and or prosecution for possession of stolen goods.”

Vodafone UK’s head of draud, Julie Steele, said: “By working together with the police, we have been successful in the recovery of most of these phones.

" All the handsets that have been reported stolen are being tracked by Vodafone, as we know the IMEI numbers (International Mobile Equipment Numbers, or the unique handset serial numbers).”

Anyone who has bought an Apple iPhone 4 from eBay sellers, especially in the Berkshire area, since Friday, August 13, 2010, is urged to contact PC Adby via the 24-hour Police Enquiry Centre on 0845 8 505 505.

Alternatively you can contact Vodafone directly; by dialling 191 from a Vodafone mobile, or online at www.vodafone.co.uk