Two people selling iPhones on Facebook Marketplace on the West Shore had the “buyer” try to steal the phone during an in-person meet-up, one successfully, prompting a warning from West Shore RCMP.
Police said the two incidents, which are believed to involve the same suspect, were reported on Sunday night.
The first happened about 7 p.m. around the 800-block of Hockley Avenue near Langford City Hall.
The seller arranged to meet a prospective buyer who then allegedly tried to steal the phone, assaulting the seller in the process, police said.
The “buyer” ran away toward Goldstream Avenue.
The second incident was at about 7:30 p.m. around the 3100-block of Jacklin Road in Langford. A seller with an iPhone had it stolen after meeting a purported buyer, who fled on foot.
Police made extensive patrols in both areas but no one was located.
The suspect is described as 15- to 20-years old and of Middle Eastern descent with brown curly hair and brown eyes. He was wearing a green zippered hoodie, baggy black pants and white shoes.
In the wake of the incidents, West Shore RCMP are warning about the “inherent risk” of dealing with strangers when buying or selling online, and offered several safety tipss.
• Meet during daylight hours.
• Choose a well-lit site that has video surveillance, like a police detachment.
• Take someone with you to the meeting.
• Use secure e-transfers for payment.
Further details are available at .
Call West Shore RCMP at 250-474-2264 with any information on the incidents, or report anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
On Monday, Victoria police warned people to be cautious when buying and selling online after several fraud reports involving e-transfers.
In those cases, a “buyer” sends a link to a seller that appears to be payment via e-transfer.
But once the seller clicks on the link, spyware is activated that gives the “buyer” access to the seller’s financial accounts and allows money to be moved out of the seller’s bank account.
