Pretoria, South Africa – A former police officer in Pretoria, South Africa, and his stepson found themselves in a dangerous situation after becoming victims of a violent crime linked to Facebook Marketplace scams. The former cop and his stepson were involved in a confrontation with individuals attempting to rob them through the popular online marketplace, resulting in the death of one of the attackers.
According to the victim, who requested to remain anonymous when speaking to News24, the incident occurred in March when they arranged to sell a television through Facebook Marketplace. The former police officer’s stepson’s fiancée had posted the TV for sale, and a potential buyer contacted her, requesting that she deliver it to an address in Winterveld.
As the group arrived at the specified location, they quickly realized that they had fallen into a trap set by the supposed buyer. The situation escalated into a violent confrontation, with the former police officer and his stepson fighting off the would-be robbers. Tragically, one of the attackers was killed during the altercation.
The incident sheds light on the dangers associated with online marketplaces and serves as a reminder for South Africans to exercise caution when conducting transactions through platforms like Facebook Marketplace. This harrowing experience underscores the importance of being vigilant and taking necessary precautions to ensure personal safety when engaging in online sales and purchases.
South Africans must remain informed and aware of the potential risks involved in online transactions in order to protect themselves and prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. This sobering event reflects the need for continued efforts to enhance safety and security measures within the online marketplace community.