Police catch teen paying £8 for PS4 by self-scanning it as fruit
The 19-year-old was caught when he tried to repeat his offence
Police in France have arrested a teenager who used a self-service checkout to pay just £8 for a new PlayStation 4.
The 19-year old, named only as Adel, picked up the console at a supermarket and took it to the fruit and vegetable section to be weighed, reports French news site L’est Republicain.
He then printed out a ticket for the €340 (£297.62) PS4, weighing 6lb, before heading to the self-service checkout and paying €9.29 (£8.10), the equivalent of what the fruit and veg would have set him back, the news site says.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The teen proceeded to leave the supermarket and put the console up for sale for €100 (£87.50) in order to pay for a train ticket from Montbeliard to his home in Nice, The Sun claims.
But when Adel returned to the supermarket the next day to try the same thing again, he was spotted by police and arrested.
However, it’s not yet known whether he was put behind bars or simply given a reprimand.
The Sun says Adel was given a suspended eight-month prison sentence and, “due to the oddities of French law”, was barred from holding public office for a further five years.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Will California's EV mandate survive Trump, SCOTUS challenge?
Today's Big Question The Golden State's climate goal faces big obstacles
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
'Underneath the noise, however, there’s an existential crisis'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
2024: the year of distrust in science
In the Spotlight Science and politics do not seem to mix
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
Netflix's epic quest into gaming
Under the radar The streaming giant's entry into the video game industry has been a slow burn, but that could change soon.
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published
-
Pong at 50: the video game that ‘changed the world’
Under the Radar Atari’s breakthrough invention remains a ‘touchstone’ in the history of gaming
By Julia O'Driscoll Published
-
Lamborghini V12 Vision Gran Turismo: a preview of the rumoured Aventador successor?
In Depth Radical virtual concept to join Gran Turismo Sport roster next spring
By The Week Staff Published
-
The Last of Us Part II: latest trailer, new features, plot details and release date
In Depth Sequel finally set to arrive after seven-year wait - here are all the details
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
Mario Kart Tour: what is the game and how much does it cost to play?
In Depth Nintendo’s mobile racer launches today
By The Week Staff Published
-
WRC 8 review: racing’s most underrated gaming franchise?
The Week Recommends Kylotonn’s latest rally game boasts a revamped handling model and F1-inspired career mode
By The Week Staff Published
-
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2019 - why is it so controversial?
The Week Recommends Rebooted shooter launches amid criticism over its portrayal of Russians
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
Grid 2019 game review: can it match the highs of F1 2019?
The Week Recommends Codemasters’ revamped racer lands this week. Here’s what you need to know
By The Week Staff Last updated