Fake iPhone Nanos hit the streets in Asia last week ahead of a possible product announcement from Apple at MacWorld Expo 2009. However, the rumor never materialized into a real device during Phil Schiller's keynote address at the annual trade show this week. Now, the BBC says fraudulent iPhone Nano units are showing up in Europe as rip-off artists try to recoup their losses.

(Image copyright GadgetZone.nl)

You can't really blame the knock-off kings for trying to get a jump on the real thing. As MacWorld got closer, the iPhone Nano rumor started heating up and it seemed like it might actually happen this time. Especially after references to the iPhone Nano appeared on the websites of Vaja and XSXN, two companies that specialize in protective cases for mobile devices. Alas, it wasn't meant to be as the iPhone Nano turned out to be the product of overactive imaginations once more.

There's no word on whether the "iPhony" Nano's will be hitting America's shores in the coming weeks. If they do, the good news is you might be able to get a real protective case for your bogus device. As of this writing, XSXN still had iPhone Nano cases for sale on its website. It seems the fraudsters weren't the only ones convinced of a new product launch.

The world is overflowing with Apple fakes trying to cash in on the über popular devices. Check out a selection of iFrauds that PC World's former editor-in-chief Harry McCracken came across during a liquidation sale last month. The slideshow even features the unboxing of Harry's very own iPlay!