A man has been arrested and charged with ripping off more than a dozen victims through Facebook Marketplace.
Detective Senior Sergeant Ryan Bunting said the man allegedly used fake bank transfers and identification cards at in-person transactions to steal more than $150,000 worth of high value items including vehicles, phones and jewellery.
“Unfortunately, the sellers have let the vehicles and goods go with the offender before later realising no transfer has occurred.”
Bunting said the man was sought by police “in relation to 17 dodgy deals between November 2024 and April this year”.
A 36-year-old man was due to appear in Waitākere District Court today on 17 charges of obtaining by deception after officers from Waitematā West Tactical Crime Unit assisted by the Armed Offenders Squad conducted a search warrant at a Massey address this morning.
Several vehicles were recovered and further enquiries were ongoing.
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Meanwhile, police encouraged anyone using the buy and sell platform to conduct transactions in public, only exchange goods after payment was confirmed, and make sure the other person was a reliable buyer or seller.
Bunting said Facebook Marketplace was “a successful hunting ground for criminals”.
If you believed you were a victim of fraud, contact police at www.police.govt.nz/use-105, or call police on 105 to report the matter.