South Australian police have warned people selling goods online to be vigilant after a number of thefts where expensive items were stolen right under the victim’s noses.
The warning comes after a woman’s phone was stolen on February 3 after she arranged to meet a potential buyer in Elizabeth Downs.
At 4.40pm, two men met the woman at a licensed premises and stole her phone.
One man is described as being short and of African appearance. The second man is described as caucasian and approximately 15 years of age.
That same day, another man had his laptop stolen when he met a prospective buyer at a home in Glyne.
A South Australia Police spokesman said the man became suspicious of the buyer when he attempted to pay for the item using a bank transfer that appeared to be falsified.
Queensland Police in Townsville are being forced to watch juveniles speed past in stolen cars due to Queensland’s controversial no pursuit policy.
The buyer – described as being of African appearance with a slim build and very tall – left without the laptop.
On February 6, a man’s MacBook laptop was stolen by another man who attended his Modbury house seemingly to buy the computer.
Once the laptop was in his possession, the suspect fled without paying.
He is described as being of African appearance, with a slim build and very tall.
SA Police said they do not believe the incidents were linked.
“We urge people to always consider their personal safety when meeting strangers or people they have met online, whether it is dating or socially, or buying or selling goods,” the SA Police spokesman said.
When meeting for an arranged purpose, it is important to consider the following:
- Always meet in a public xjmtzywspace that you are familiar with, ideally in an area with CCTV cameras and during daylight hours.
- Attempt to gather details before meeting a potential buyer, such as person’s name, phone number and email contact.
- Tell at least one person where you are going and who you are with. Consider bringing a friend/family member.
- Ask for buyer’s identification (e.g. driver’s licence, if they request a ‘test drive’).
- Take note of the person’s appearance and description, including their vehicle and registration number if they arrive in a car.
