iPhone sellers robbed by fake Facebook Marketplace buyer in Langford, B.C.: RCMP
Facebook Marketplace. (Shutterstock)
Police in Langford are asking the public to be on the lookout after two Facebook Marketplace transactions went awry in the city in the span of about 30 minutes.
The incidents occurred Sunday evening, within 1.5 kilometres of each other, and involved the same suspect, according to a news release issued by West Shore RCMP Tuesday.
The first incident occurred near the 800 block of Hockley Avenue around 7 p.m., police said.
The seller had agreed to meet with the suspect to sell him an iPhone.
"The suspect is alleged to have attempted to steal the iPhone from the seller and assaulted the seller in the process," the news release reads.
"The suspect then ran on foot towards Goldstream Avenue."
Around 7:30 p.m., the second incident occurred in the 3100 block of Jacklin Avenue, according to police.
As in the first case, the seller had agreed to meet with the suspect and sell him an iPhone. This time, the suspect stole the phone from the seller and fled on foot, Mounties said.
Despite "extensive patrols" of the areas where the incidents occurred, police were unable to find the suspect, who they described as a "young man of Middle Eastern descent" with brown curly hair, brown eyes and a clean-shaven face.
He was wearing "a green zip-up hoodie, black baggy pants" and "white 'Air Force' style shoes," police said.
"There is an inherent risk to selling or purchasing items directly from unknown persons," the RCMP release reads.
"Police are advising the public to take safety precautions while engaging in online digital selling platforms."
Some of those precautions, according to police, include meeting during daylight in a well-lit place that has video surveillance (such as a police station), bringing a friend or family member to the meeting and relying on contactless pickup when possible.
More tips are available on the RCMP website.
Anyone with information about the Langford incidents is asked to call West Shore RCMP at 250-474-2264 or report anonymously via Crime Stoppers.
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