Boy of 13 in £20,000 web con

A boy of 13 allegedly cheated shoppers out of £20,000 after setting up a fake website company in his bedroom.

He worked from his grandmother's home, where it is claimed he tricked people into buying cheap plasma TV screens, but never delivered them.

His "business" grew so swiftly he stopped going to school, rented offices and hired two people from his local job centre.

He also took on a bodyguard to protect him from angry customers, it is reported.

It was months before detectives traced the teenager to his grandmother's home in Chiswick. It is alleged the boy, who is now 14, pocketed cheques and postal orders.

He reportedly told his father he was being tutored at his grandmother's house and hired a man in his fifties and a woman in her twenties as his "business" boomed.

Weeks later, it is alleged, he quit the new office owing £8,000 and rented another. Police were called in when he disappeared again, allegedly owing another £2,000 in rent. The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was arrested on fraud and deception charges and bailed until April.

A police officer told the Daily Mirror: "He only turned 14 in October, which was about the time he set up this scam, so it's likely he was ripping off people at just 13."

It is believed the boy - who is now staying with his father - started his business selling stationery at school car boot sales.

His grandmother said: "He is an angel and never been in trouble. I'm going to kill him when I get hold of him."