Police in the Central Valley are warning thrifty electronics consumers about scam artists selling fake iPads and flat screen televisions that appear to be the real deal — at least until the bubble wrap comes off.

Investigators in Ceres, a Stanislaus County city south of Modesto, say they have received multiple reports of victims being approached outside of businesses on Hatch Road and offered popular electronics for low, “out of the box” prices.

The grateful buyers reportedly shelled out hundreds of dollars, only to get home and realize they had obtained tiles masquerading as iPads or large pieces of wood dressed up as televisions. The perpetrators went so far as to fill boxes with packing peanuts, while including recognizable logos and accessories that usually come with such products.

Authorities are asking anyone who has fallen victim to the scam to contact the Ceres Police Department at (209) 538-5712.