Pretoria – Police have warned the public to be wary of online advertisements.
The warning came after police arrested an 11-man gang that was about to rob a buyer who had responded to an online advert of a truck for sale in Tshwane.
The gang’s modus operadi involved placing adverts of items for sale on Facebook Marketplace.
When potential buyers responded and turned up at prearranged meeting places the armed gang pounced and robbed them of their money.
Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo said on Friday 11 suspects were arrested in Winterveld, Tshwane, for robbery related to online shopping.
Narrating events leading to the arrests, Lieutenant Colonel Masondo said: “The suspects were about to rob a man whom they lured by advertising a truck for sale on Facebook Marketplace”.
Fortunately for the buyer, the Gauteng police crime intelligence team had been tipped off about the ruse and planned robbery.
Lieutenant Colonel Masondo said the police kept a close watch at the place where the buyer was to meet the “sellers” of the truck.
The police stakeout team, which included officers from the Gauteng Highway Patrol Unit and Road Traffic Management Corporation, observed the unsuspecting buyer meeting with the suspects.
“As the team approached, the suspects started firing shots at the police officers who responded by shooting back,” recounted Lieutenant Colonel Masondo.
“One suspect was shot and injured, while 10 other suspects were arrested without injuries.
“Police recovered two unlicensed firearms and ammunition from the suspects.”
Gauteng Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni expressed his gratitude to the police officers for their excellent work in apprehending the criminals responsible for robberies that have been going on in Winterveld.
“Police would like to warn members of the community against bogus online advertisers who continue to rob unsuspecting buyers,” Lieutenant Colonel Masondo said.
The police advised that the following basic safety tips should be considered before buying or selling online:
- Avoid communicating with buyers or sellers outside Facebook;
- Don’t share your personal information such as banking details or physical address;
- If you are meeting a buyer or seller in person, arrange to meet in a public and well-lit area or at the nearest police station;
- Do more research on the buyer or seller by visiting their private Facebook profile, a “red flag” is raised when his or her profile was only recently created.
- Criminal activities can be reported at the nearest police station or via the Crime Stop Line at 08600 10111.
