The South African Police Service (SAPS) has issued a warning over criminals who are exploiting Facebook Marketplace to rob their victims in South Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This warning came after two brothers were murdered for falling victim to a false Facebook Marketplace advertisement on Saturday (6 April).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to police spokesperson Colonel Priscilla Naidu, the two men were lured to an address under false pretences, where they were robbed and killed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Upon arriving at the location, the victims discovered that no such ad existed, and the house occupants were unaware of any sale. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
While still at the address, two suspects approached and robbed them at gunpoint. The bakkie was later found not far from the crime scene.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The perpetrators took their cash, cell phones, and vehicles before shooting them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Naidu warned the public to exercise caution and diligence when using social media platforms to make purchases.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cVerify the credibility of sellers, conduct transactions in safe locations, and consider involving law enforcement if there are any suspicions<\/strong>,\u201d Naidu said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n District Commissioner, Major-General Vuyisile Ncata added and advised the public to \u201cnever tread on unfamiliar territory.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n This warning also follows the noticed increase in criminals exploiting Facebook Marketplace to rob their victims in South Africa \u2013 with several reported Facebook Marketplace robberies since last year. <\/p>\n\n\n\n These reporters also included a suspected syndicate operating in Winterveld and Rietgat in Soshanguve, Pretoria.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to reports, these criminals post false ads for multiple items, such as TVs, solar equipment, and even pianos. <\/p>\n\n\n\n However, the most common item listed for sale on false ads is vehicles, with very attractive prices\u2014often too good to be true. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Additionally, Although very few of these cases result in murder, many have resulted in severe injury, while other victims are often put through a long ordeal as the criminals try to empty bank accounts before letting the victims go. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This trend is not surprising given the host of new tactics criminals use to steal from everyday South Africans \u2013 while crimes associated with these trends have seen a notable rise compared to the previous years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to the SAPS’ Crime Stats for the third quarter of the 2023\/24 year (October to December 2023), contact crime (crimes against another person) increased by 3.8% compared to the prior period. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Looking at certain violent crimes over the third quarter, murder increased by 2.1% and attempted murder increased by 13% from the prior period.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Assault with the intent to inflict grievous bodily (5.8%), common assault (0.4%), common robbery (3.9%), robbery with aggravating circumstances (6.6%), and carjackings (6.5%) all increased.<\/p>\n\n\n\n