Criminals prowl Facebook Marketplace in South Africa
The South African Police Service has issued a warning to South Africans buying or selling goods through Facebook Marketplace and other online trading sites.
It followed an incident in Motherwell, Gqeberha, on Wednesday, where a person looking to buy a car on Facebook Marketplace was targeted by armed criminals, robbed, and a vehicle was stolen.
“According to reports, a complainant and two friends travelled to Mdundu Street, NU6, Motherwell, after responding to a Facebook Marketplace advertisement for a vehicle,” SAPS said in a statement.
“Upon arriving at the address, the person who had allegedly communicated with the complainant via Facebook informed them that the vehicle was parked inside the yard.”
As the three potential buyers were lured into the enclosed yard, they were confronted by armed suspects who allegedly assaulted them.
They were robbed of cash and their cellular phones before the alleged assailants fled in the Kia Sportage that the three buyers arrived in.
Captain Sandra Janse Van Rensburg said that criminals are increasingly using online marketplaces to target unsuspecting buyers and sellers.
These criminals advertise non-existent goods and arrange meetings in secluded areas where victims can be robbed.
“The SAPS urges the public to take the following precautions when conducting transactions through online marketplaces,” she said.
Sellers or buyers on Facebook Marketplace are advised to arrange meetings in public places with high visibility and regular foot traffic.
They should avoid travelling to unfamiliar areas or private residences to view or purchase items. Carrying large amounts of cash for transactions is also not advised.
However, this particular piece of advice is challenging, as the majority of transactions on Facebook Marketplace are requested to be in cash to avoid EFT scams.
This scam is usually seen by users when selling electronic items that can be easily delivered. A scammer will create a situation where they must urgently pick up the item.
They then create fake proofs of payment that indicate an amount was paid into seller accounts. Often, they will send copies of their IDs as “surety.”
Scammers then steal the item, with the seller never receiving the funds they were promised by the alleged buyer.
One solution to this scam is instant EFT and PayShap, but some banks delay instant EFT payments to new beneficiaries. These transactions also cost more.
Ways to stay safe when making deals on Facebook Marketplace
SAPS has issued a number of other ways to keep safe when making deals on Facebook Marketplace, including:
- Meeting at a police station or another secure public venue.
- Never enter homes, garages, yards or secluded locations to inspect items.
- Inform a family member or friend of your destination and expected return time.
- Verify the identity and contact details of the person you are meeting.
- Be wary of deals that appear significantly cheaper than market value.
- When selling items, avoid inviting strangers to your home and arrange meetings in safe public locations.
- Buyers and sellers should trust their instincts and leave immediately if a situation appears suspicious.
SAPS issued a similar warning about Facebook Marketplace in 2024, when two brothers were murdered after falling victim to a false advertisement on the site in April.
At the time, police spokesperson Colonel Priscilla Naidu said that the two men were lured to an address under false pretences, where they were robbed and killed.
The perpetrators took their cash, cell phones and vehicles before shooting them. SAPS warned the public to exercise caution and diligence when using online platforms to make sales or purchases.
There have been several reported Facebook Marketplace-related robberies since then, including a suspected syndicate that was operating in Winterveld and Rietgat in Soshanguve, Pretoria.
Criminals will often list high-value items for low amounts, hoping to lure unsuspecting victims. Sometimes, victims are put through ordeals where they are taken to ATMs to drain their bank accounts.
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