The South African Police Service has issued a warning to South Africans buying or selling goods through Facebook Marketplace and other online trading sites.
It followed an incident in Motherwell, Gqeberha, on Wednesday, where a person looking to buy a car on Facebook Marketplace was targeted by armed criminals, robbed, and a vehicle was stolen.
“According to reports, a complainant and two friends travelled to Mdundu Street, NU6, Motherwell, after responding to a Facebook Marketplace advertisement for a vehicle,” SAPS said in a statement.
“Upon arriving at the address, the person who had allegedly communicated with the complainant via Facebook informed them that the vehicle was parked inside the yard.”
As the three potential buyers were lured into the enclosed yard, they were confronted by armed suspects who allegedly assaulted them.
They were robbed of cash and their cellular phones before the alleged assailants fled in the Kia Sportage that the three buyers arrived in.
Captain Sandra Janse Van Rensburg said that criminals are increasingly using online marketplaces to target unsuspecting buyers and sellers.
These criminals advertise non-existent goods and arrange meetings in secluded areas where victims can be robbed.
“The SAPS urges the public to take the following precautions when conducting transactions through online marketplaces,” she said.
Sellers or buyers on Facebook Marketplace are advised to arrange meetings in public places with high visibility and regular foot traffic.
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This article is published on Business Point website
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Updated: June 2026
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