Tucson Man Targeted in Facebook Marketplace Scam

Online Marketplace Scam Leaves Local Man Shaken

It’s becoming increasingly common — people being targeted and scammed while trying to buy or sell items online. While these platforms offer convenience, they also present opportunities for cunning criminals to exploit unsuspecting individuals.

One local man recently found himself entangled in such a scam, leaving him shaken and hesitant to engage in online transactions again. Just recently unemployed, John had decided to sell a bike on Facebook Marketplace, hoping to earn some extra cash to cover his bills.

“I figured I was selling it at a good price,” John explained, “thinking that an honest person would want to buy it and help me out by paying me what I was asking for it. In turn, I’d be helping someone else get a new bike.”

He soon received a message from a woman going by the name Patricia Samantha McCain. She expressed interest in the bike and proposed completing the transaction through Venmo. Not familiar with the platform, John decided to create an account and exchanged information with Patricia.

"They basically told me they would send it, but they had to send an extra $300 in order for the credit to go through on my Venmo account," John recounted.
He was then told he needed to pay that $300 back before receiving the money for his bike.

At this point, alarm bells started ringing in John’s head. Soon after, he began to receive threatening phone calls from a man who claimed to be Patricia’s husband, further intensifying John’s discomfort.

“By this point, I caught on to the scam,” John said, “but I was still shaken by what came next.”

The perpetrator then used even more unsettling tactics. They included pictures of John’s house in their emails and messages and even used Venmo and FBI branding to lend an air of legitimacy.

“When they put a family number’s name in that email, along with that threat, that hurt me to my heart,” John confessed. “I’m just trying to pay my bills.”

Despite falling victim to the initial manipulation, John ultimately didn’t lose any money. He recognized the scam’s red flags before transferring any funds. He ultimately chose not to report the incident to authorities.

The Pima County Sheriff’s Department emphasizes the urgency of reporting these types of scams. “We see all sorts of scams on social media, and the earlier you reach out the better, especially if you’re being threatened,” said PCSD spokesman Adam Schoonover.

Schoonover highlights the importance of acting fast:

“The quicker we can track something down, or maybe see it coming in real-time, it’s going to give us a higher chance of either stopping it,” he said. “Or, maybe if you lost something, even getting it back or even a portion of it.”

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers lurking behind online transactions. It also underscores the importance of remaining vigilant, questioning suspicious requests, and reporting any unusual activity promptly to the authorities.

What should‌ you do if you believe ⁢you have been scammed while selling an item online?

​ ## Interview: Online Marketplace Scam

**Interviewer**:⁤ Thanks for joining us ⁤today, Alex Reed, ‍to discuss the rising ‌problem of online marketplace scams. We have ​a story ⁤here about a local man named John who was recently targeted while trying to sell‌ his bike on Facebook Marketplace. ⁤Can⁣ you‌ tell us a bit about this common scam and ⁤how it⁢ preys on ​people?

**Alex Reed**: Absolutely. These scams are ⁣unfortunately ‍very ⁢common. They often target people who ​are unfamiliar with ⁣online payment platforms like Venmo. Scammers will express interest in an item, often offering a price above asking. Then, they’ll claim they need to send extra money to cover processing fees or some other fabricated reason, [[1](https://www.aura.com/learn/i-got-scammed-on-venmo-what-do-i-do)].⁣ They’ll instruct ‌the seller to send this extra money back to⁤ them. ‍Of ⁢course, the initial payment never arrives, and the​ victim is out the money⁣ they sent back to the scammer.

**Interviewer**: This‌ sounds‍ exactly​ like what happened to John. He says the buyer, Patricia Samantha McCain, asked him to​ send back $300 after “accidentally” sending too much.

**Alex Reed**: That’s⁤ a classic tactic. It preys on a person’s trust and willingness to help.

**Interviewer**: John is⁣ understandably shaken by this experience. What ⁤advice would you give to⁣ viewers who might find themselves⁣ in a similar situation?

**Alex Reed**:

Firstly, ⁢be wary⁢ of ⁣buyers who offer to pay above asking price or use⁤ unfamiliar payment methods.

Secondly, ‍never send money back ⁤to a buyer claiming they overpaid.⁢ Legitimate payment ‍platforms‌ don’t operate like this.

Thirdly, if something seems too good to ​be true,​ it probably is. ⁣Trust your​ gut and don’t ⁤be afraid to walk away from a deal that seems suspicious.

if ⁣you believe you’ve ​been scammed, report⁤ it to the platform you were using ⁣and contact your local authorities. You can also consider ​filing a ‌complaint with the Federal Trade ‌Commission.

‌**Interviewer**: Thank you, Alex Reed, for shedding light on this important issue. Hopefully, your advice will help protect viewers from falling ‍victim to these scams.