A 31-year-old Midway Point woman remains in custody, charged with multiple fraud related offences to a value exceeding $11,000 following an investigation into a series of fraud Facebook Marketplace.
Police allege the woman obtained items from Facebook Marketplace sellers by arranging to meet and buy the items, and either showing a fake completed bank transfer or cancelling the transfer before funds were received by the seller.
Police executed a search warrant at the woman’s address which resulted in the recovery of several high value digital hardware products.
Police also seized additional items including further digital hardware products, computers, drones, jewellery, a gaming console, and a diesel generator.
Police are appealing to the public for further information to help identify the owners of the seized items.
If you have had a similar experience being defrauded of items from Facebook Marketplace, please contact police on 131 444 or attend Bellerive Police Station with proof of purchase and quote Case 1963.
Police also wish to remind the public that best practice when selling items on Facebook Marketplace is to always ensure you gather the details of the buyer and have confirm that funds have been received prior to them leaving with the items.
- Use a payment platform that offer buyer protection such as PayPal.
- Always meet in person.
- Look at the seller’s commerce profile to learn more about the seller.
- Always do your due diligence when dealing with anyone online.
- Always inspect the item before agreeing to a sale.
- Never send money to anyone you don’t know.
- And if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
The woman will appear in the Hobart Magistrates Court on Monday 5 October.
