People should be cautious when offered branded products, particularly Apple ones, at knockdown prices, the Bermuda Police Service warned on Friday.

The comments follow a spate of burglaries and thefts from several establishments across the island.

These have tended to target electronic devices, such as Apple brand products such as iPhones, AirPods, iPads and MacBook laptops.

In the latest incident, burglars raided P-Tech electronics store in Hamilton on Wednesday.

A BPS spokesman said that “if a deal looks too good to be true, it probably is”.

He said: “Some of these items have been advertised for sale at significantly reduced prices online, via various social-media platforms.

“The BPS wish to advise the public to exercise caution when considering purchasing brand-name electronics advertised locally, at prices below their true value, as you may be purchasing an item linked to these breaks-ins or thefts.

“As always, if the deal seems too good to be true, it probably is.

“Should you have any suspicions or concerns about the sale, the item being sold or the individual selling the item, please report these to the police before you complete the transaction.”

The BPS advised would-be purchasers to follow a number of safeguards.

These include not transferring funds to a seller’s account without physically seeing the item, requesting to see the serial number of the item, and taking note of the media platform and the account holder’s information, such as their name and telephone number.

The BPS said transaction meetings should never be arranged for secluded or suspicious areas.

The spokesman added: “You should also be aware that under the Criminal Code Act 1907 ‘a person guilty of handling stolen goods shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine of $10,000 or to imprisonment for five years or both; and on conviction on indictment, to a fine of $150,000 or imprisonment for 14 years, or both’.”