Two men attempted to defraud the Royal Mail service by insuring packages that were supposed to contain iPads but instead contained ice; then when the ice melted leaving the package empty they would claim that the item was lost and collect the compensation.

The problem with this dimwitted plan is that as the ice melts it essentially disintegrates the card board box leaving a mushy bit of evidence behind.

According to the Mirror, Nathan Meunch, 29, and Nigel Bennett, 39, stuffed ice in a parcel then insured it for the tablets “inside”.

They planned to post it by special delivery then claim £2,500 ($3865.00 USD) compensation from Royal Mail when it failed to arrive at the other end.

But Post Office staff contacted investigators after the parcel started leaking.

During the trial the court heard the parcel had ‘disintegrated’ in front of shocked postal workers.

Counter clerk Elaine Sloane, told the court how she served Meunch, on May 14, 2012 and noticed damp spots on his jacket.

She said: “I just happened to say to the gentleman is it raining outside and he said yes but it seemed strange to me because I could see from where I was sitting it didn’t look like it was raining.”

“I asked him what was inside and he said iPads. About an hour later, a colleague noticed a puddle of water beneath the Special Delivery pile.

“We had a little look and you could see all ice in there. He had sent it as iPads and I couldn’t believe it was all this water and the box was disintegrating.”

Meunch, of Telford, West Midlands, was found guilty of fraud. Bennett, of Stirchley, admitted the same charge.

They were given a 12-month community order and 150 hours of unpaid work at Shrewsbury crown court.

They were also ordered to pay £500 ($773.00 USD) towards prosecution costs within six months.