South Australia Police (SAPOL) are urging people to exercise caution when meeting strangers or people they have interacted while on their computer or online.
The warning follows three incidents earlier this month involving crimes relating to the online selling of goods.
SAPOL said the first incident involved a woman who arranged to meet a potential buyer for her iPhone but was met by two men who subsequently stole the phone.
It said that in a separate incident at a victim’s home, a man wanting to sell his laptop became suspicious of a potential buyer when a bank transfer appeared to be falsified.
“The suspect left without the laptop.”
It said the third incident involved a man selling an Apple MacBook from his home address.
“Once the MacBook was in the suspect’s possession, he fled the house without making payment,” SAPOL said.
“Police 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 police set out the following crime prevention tips for people selling goods:
* Always meet in a public space that you are familiar with, ideally in an area with CCTV cameras, and during daylight hours;
* Attempt to gather details before meeting 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 and consider bringing a friend/family member;
* Ask for identification of buyer, e.g. driver’s licence, if they request a ‘test drive’; and
* Take note of the person’s appearance and description, including their vehicle and registration number if they arrive in a car.
