Police warn of PS5 scams this season

Troy police are warning of scams involving sales of the PlayStation 5, a hot holiday gift item.

In two incidents last month, sellers arranged to meet people posing as buyers in public places, but the “buyers” took the PS5 without paying, or paid less than the agreed price, and then fled.

“With this popular gift being out of stock everywhere, coupled with the desperation of well meaning parents, it’s a scammer’s dream!” Troy police said on their Facebook and Twitter pages.

“Please beware of people selling these or other popular items on Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, EBay, etc. Sometimes you may just be buying the box... Or worse, you may end up meeting up with someone that just wants to steal your money.”

Here are the details of the two incidents, which both occurred Nov. 18:

• A man arranged to meet prospective buyers at Nino Salvaggio’s on Rochester Road at 2 p.m. The suspects handed the seller a wad of bills and told him to count it. While doing so, one of the suspects grabbed the PS5 and the pair took off in a Dodge Charger. The seller received $500 for the sale; the agreed-upon price was $1,200.

• Another man made arrangements to sell a new PS5 gaming console for $1,200. He met the supposed buyer in the circle drive of the Troy Police Department at 5:30 p.m. The “purchaser” arrived in a Dodge Charger, along with another man, and asked to inspect the unit. The seller handed the box to the man while he was still seated in the car. The two men drove away with the PS5 without paying.

Both sales were arranged on Facebook Marketplace.

An investigation is continuing.

Police warn that there are likely additional scammers operating this holiday season.