JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – Jackson police said Facebook Marketplace users should be aware of criminals posing as buyers with the intent to rob unsuspecting persons of their goods.
Detective Tommie Brown said several suspects in the City of Jackson have been arrested and charged with embezzlement, false pretense, uttering false instrument, and possession of a stolen auto.
According to investigators, suspects have been known to set up Facebook pages under fake profiles using the names and personal information of their previous victims. Suspects are known to target individuals who live in the neighboring states of Alabama and Louisiana.
Brown said the suspects arrange for the transactions to take place at various locations in Jackson that appear to be safe, but in fact are strategic to their intent. Unsuspecting property owners desiring to sell their goods are lured to the locations and either robbed at gunpoint or they are presented with counterfeit cashier’s checks that are forged to match the ID’s the suspects present to their unsuspecting victims.
The suspects primarily target individuals who are selling vehicles, ATVs, motorcycles, and dirt bikes. Oftentimes the scammers ask the unsuspecting seller to let them test drive the vehicles and once they drive off, they do not return.
Some things to watch for when considering transacting business on Facebook Marketplace are:
- Do your research on potential buyers.
- Be aware that the fake cashier’s checks are complete with watermarks
- Suggest meeting at a police precinct of your choosing.
- Beware of buyer switching locations
- Beware of the buyer sending someone in their place
- Be aware of a second individual that shows up for the transaction. A second person
- could possibly be a co-conspirator.