Teenager buys PlayStation on eBay and gets £44,000 thrown in free

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But one 16-year-old was left feeling like he had struck gold after his purchase turned up in the post - with £44,000 in euros stuffed inside the box.

Shocked and stunned, the boy, who has asked not to be named, immediately told his parents who alerted police and handed the money to officers.

Police are holding the money while they investigate. But it may yet be returned to the boy's family, who live in Aylsham, Norfolk.

The cash was found on March 20 but details have only just been released.

It is believed the Sony PS2 was supplied by a British seller on the Internet auction site.

Police were granted an order by Norwich magistrates on June 22 to hold the money for three months under the Proceeds of Crime Act. A police spokesman said: 'Our economic crime unit is trying to establish where this money came from.

'The boy discovered this large amount of cash when he opened the box containing the console. The games were missing and he got this money instead. To say he was surprised is a bit of an understatement.'

He added: 'If we find the rightful owner of the money and they have a legitimate reason for having it, the money will be returned to them.

'If it is found to be the proceeds of crime then the courts will be able to seize the cash for public funds.

'However, if ownership cannot be ascertained then this boy's family could apply to keep it under the Police Property Act.'

The spokesman said of the boy and his parents: 'They want to keep as low a profile as possible. They are a bit concerned about this amount of money turning up on their doorstep.'

An eBay spokesman said: 'We always assist police in their inquiries.'