TRADING standards officers are warning of so-called liquidation and ex-catalogue sales after dozens of St Albans people were ripped off by conmen on Sunday.

At least 50 people attended a sale in a back room at The Duke of Marlborough pub in Holywell Hill on Sunday, attracted by a flyer promising "Credit Crunch Clearance Sale - Everything Must Go."

Hossein Tahiri, who lives in the New Greens area, told the Review: "When I got there the hall was full of people.

"I bought a camcorder for £120, a digital camera for £20 and some perfume for £20.

"They were all wrapped up in boxes, but when I got home I realised they were no good at all."

He returned to the pub to find the people running the sale, besieged by other unhappy customers, preparing a quick departure.

Prompted by complaints from Mr Tahiri and others, county council trading standards officers issued a general warning, describing the goods sold as worthless.

Councillor Keith Emsall, cabinet member for community safety, said: "We all like a bargain,but although it’s tempting to think that there might be surplus branded TVs, cameras and computers because of company liquidations, it really pays to be sceptical.

"The prices sound unbelievable, because they are. One day sales are just that – here today and gone tomorrow."

Council spokesman Andrew Dawson added: "These sales, often held in local hotels, community halls or in function rooms above pubs, prey on consumers looking for bargains.

It is believed that similar sales may be held in other areas of the county in the coming weeks.

"The sales are usually advertised at short notice so the authorities can’t get involved. The organisers rarely leave a forwarding address, so consumers have no comeback when things go wrong."

The authority is trying to trying to discourage venues from accepting bookings for these events, but warns the owners are not responsible, and may also be victims of the scams.