Scam alert

The Team from Canterbury Police

Christchurch Police are urging people to be cautious when it comes to buying goods listed for sale on social media/marketplace.

Police are investigating several recent reports of people being threatened or assaulted and money and possessions taken from them, when they’ve met with people posing as sellers of goods on social media. In an online environment, it can be difficult to verify the person you are dealing with has good intentions.

Police urge anyone buying/selling on these platforms to exercise caution and if you do experience aggressive behaviour, report it to Police.

Here are a number of suggestions to keep yourself safe:
- First and foremost, we recommend using a reputable online site to buy or sell items.
- If the trader insists on meeting at an unusual location to make a sale, be cautious. It may be that they are selling stolen items or don't want to be identified for some other reason.
- Equally, if purchasers are reluctant to meet in person or insist items are dropped off at a location, they may be avoiding being seen or identified.
- If you’re meeting in person, make sure you’re meeting in a public place and away from any alleyways or side streets where someone could quickly disappear into and don’t go alone.
- Check the social media profile of the seller. Is it a new profile or relatively blank? There's a chance it may be a fake profile, and are sometimes deleted after you’ve paid.
- If you are the seller, make sure the money is in your account before sending or handing off items.
- As the saying goes: if it is too good to be true, it probably is.

If you wish to report a scam, call 105, or report it with us online at www.police.govt.nz...