Online marketplace scam leaves a university student almost penniless
- Replies 5
The evolution of technology comes with many risks, and one of them is online marketplace scams.
This recent story involving a university student is a stark reminder of how easy it is to fall victim to one of these treacherous schemes.
Zane Facer, a university student, was almost $30,000 out of pocket when he became the victim of an online marketplace scam.
It all started when Facer decided to list his 2003 Nissan Patrol on an online marketplace.
An interested buyer then contacted him, and the two arranged a meeting for the car to be inspected by a mechanic.
Facer then agreed and let the man take the car to the mechanic. He took a photo of the man’s ID, but unfortunately, the man had never returned.
Facer later discovered that the man sold it to someone else for $4,500.
'His intention was never to buy the car,' he said.
Police eventually arrested the scammer, who was later convicted in Warrnambool in October 2022.
However, the vehicle was not seized and was reportedly totalled by someone connected to the new buyer.
Because the vehicle was lost in a private sale online, despite not receiving a cent from the supposed sale, Facer’s insurance claims were denied.
You can watch the full report on Facer’s experience below:
Source: Youtube/9 News Australia.
Facer’s experience is not an isolated incident.
According to data from Sell Securely, more than a quarter of Australians have also been victims of scams while trying to make a sale online, but the majority simply don’t report it.
Facer has since requested that Victoria Police compensate him for the money he had lost, saying: 'It was 25,000 and for a young person, that's a lot of money…I don't have other money other than that.'
A Victoria Police spokesperson confirmed that they were speaking with the 'individual involved in this matter' and assessing the incident.
'We have no record of having received the provided letter of demand but maintain positive communications with the individual,' the spokesperson said.
'The circumstances surrounding the incident and what occurs next will now be assessed, and as such, it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time.'
Members, have you or anyone you know experienced being scammed on an online marketplace? Share your experience with us in the comments below.
This recent story involving a university student is a stark reminder of how easy it is to fall victim to one of these treacherous schemes.
Zane Facer, a university student, was almost $30,000 out of pocket when he became the victim of an online marketplace scam.
It all started when Facer decided to list his 2003 Nissan Patrol on an online marketplace.
A university student selling his car on an online marketplace was scammed. Image source: prostooleh on Freepik.
An interested buyer then contacted him, and the two arranged a meeting for the car to be inspected by a mechanic.
Facer then agreed and let the man take the car to the mechanic. He took a photo of the man’s ID, but unfortunately, the man had never returned.
Facer later discovered that the man sold it to someone else for $4,500.
'His intention was never to buy the car,' he said.
Police eventually arrested the scammer, who was later convicted in Warrnambool in October 2022.
However, the vehicle was not seized and was reportedly totalled by someone connected to the new buyer.
Because the vehicle was lost in a private sale online, despite not receiving a cent from the supposed sale, Facer’s insurance claims were denied.
You can watch the full report on Facer’s experience below:
Source: Youtube/9 News Australia.
Facer’s experience is not an isolated incident.
According to data from Sell Securely, more than a quarter of Australians have also been victims of scams while trying to make a sale online, but the majority simply don’t report it.
Facer has since requested that Victoria Police compensate him for the money he had lost, saying: 'It was 25,000 and for a young person, that's a lot of money…I don't have other money other than that.'
A Victoria Police spokesperson confirmed that they were speaking with the 'individual involved in this matter' and assessing the incident.
'We have no record of having received the provided letter of demand but maintain positive communications with the individual,' the spokesperson said.
'The circumstances surrounding the incident and what occurs next will now be assessed, and as such, it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time.'
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