St. Thomas resident out $15K in online buy and sell scam

Police inSt. Thomas, Ont., are investigating after a resident lost approximately $15,000 to a Facebook Marketplace scam.

The victim contacted police on Oct. 7 to report the incident, saying they were selling items online and provided a link to an individual who was purchasing an item from them, police said Tuesday.

They provided their banking information to the individual to complete their purchase. The following day, the victim was made aware of several fraudulent transactions and withdrawals from their account.

"In any online selling application, we need to be very mindful of how we accept payment, especially when it pertains to banking information, any online accounts, any links, anything like that," said Samantha Wakefield, corporate communications officer for the St. Thomas Police Service (STPS).

STPShas a dedicated space in its parking lot where the community can make safe and secure transactions with online sellers in person, said Wakefield.

"We ideally like you to do it right here in person, out of a secure location where you are protected from any online frauds and you use cash as your transaction in a safe environment," she said.

The interaction occurred within a Facebook Marketplace group set within 100 kilometre radius of St. Thomas, she added. The investigation is ongoing.