{"id":653699,"date":"2026-06-15T11:05:23","date_gmt":"2026-06-15T09:05:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mybroadband.co.za\/news\/?p=653699"},"modified":"2026-06-15T11:06:05","modified_gmt":"2026-06-15T09:06:05","slug":"criminals-prowl-facebook-marketplace-in-south-africa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mybroadband.co.za\/news\/security\/653699-criminals-prowl-facebook-marketplace-in-south-africa.html","title":{"rendered":"Criminals prowl Facebook Marketplace in South Africa"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The South African Police Service has issued a warning to South Africans buying or selling goods through Facebook Marketplace and other online trading sites.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“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.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the three potential buyers were lured into the enclosed yard, they were confronted by armed suspects who allegedly assaulted them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were robbed of cash and their cellular phones before the alleged assailants fled in the Kia Sportage that the three buyers arrived in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Captain Sandra Janse Van Rensburg said that criminals are increasingly using online marketplaces to target unsuspecting buyers and sellers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These criminals advertise non-existent goods and arrange meetings in secluded areas where victims can be robbed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“The SAPS urges the public to take the following precautions when conducting transactions through online marketplaces,” she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sellers or buyers on Facebook Marketplace are advised to arrange meetings in public places with high visibility and regular foot traffic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Scammers then steal the item, with the seller never receiving the funds they were promised by the alleged buyer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ways to stay safe when making deals on Facebook Marketplace<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

SAPS has issued a number of other ways to keep safe when making deals on Facebook Marketplace, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n