Philippi East police would like to warn the public of an increase in social media-related online shopping incidents that have resulted in unsuspecting buyers falling victim to hijackings and robberies.

Online shopping scams have become prevalent in the Philippi East policing precinct. 

The modus operandi used by groupings that specialise in these scams involve the luring of social-media users who conduct purchases through Facebook’s e-commerce “Marketplace” page, where goods and services are sold.

The “seller” arranges a meeting place and time with an interested buyer, who would then be met at the agreed location by a young man.

He would then take the buyer to a secluded place where they are supposed to meet the “seller”.

It is then, at the second location, where the victim would be accosted by armed men who would rob the victim of his/her belongings and force him or her to transfer money from their bank account before fleeing the scene, leaving the victim high and dry. Other victims are robbed of their vehicle.

The public is therefore strongly warned to refrain from looking for bargains on social-media platforms.

Those who use online shopping should do so through reputable companies or applications, and should be vigilant.