A computer sales scam was allegedly run by students at UC Santa Barbara, authorities said.

An FBI and Sheriff's Department investigation determined that online shoppers nationwide placed orders with Gaucho Computers, which had a UC Santa Barbara e-mail address and listed the University of California as the company name.

After shoppers paid an average of $2,000 for an Apple laptop, William Franceschine and his roommates allegedly sent e-mail messages indicating that customers would receive their order within seven days, Det. Adam Reichick said. The laptops were never sent, authorities said.