Police warn about bogus online deals

Public advised to be careful when selling goods through social media

Police are warning social media shoppers after arresting a man on charges related to bogus online deals. A 38-year-old man will appear in Palmerston North District Court later this month on 21 charges of obtaining by deception in relation to fraudulent sales on social media platforms, all reported to have occurred between early June and late July across the wider Manawatu region.

Detective Sergeant Carl Newton said further charges are likely.

Newton said the man allegedly obtained motor vehicles that had been advertised for sale and claimed to have paid for them when he hadn’t. He is remanded in custody and due to reappear in court on August 23, on the multiple obtaining by deception charges, unlawfully taking a motor vehicle and resisting arrest.

It was a reminder for locals in the wider Manawatu¯ to be alert to fraudulent activity and to take care when selling goods through social media platforms and online websites, he said.

“There has been a notable increase in people handing over property to people posing as buyers after being falsely led to believe that they’ve been paid for the item,” he said.

In such cases, it is common for the claimed buyer to show proof of payment in the form of a cellphone screenshot of a bank transfer of funds to the sellers — however the money is never deposited into the seller’s account.

Newton said these type of fraudulent purchases happen with lower value items, but also happen with more expensive items such as motor vehicles.

Whenever selling goods, make sure you deal in cash or ensure the money has actually been received in your bank account before handing the item over, he said.

Police would rather prevent a crime happening than deal with an offence after it had occurred.

If a fraudulent transaction has already happened you can get in touch with Police on 105. police.govt.nz, or call Police on 105.