June 18th, 2024Charges following Facebook marketplace scam

Crime Investigation Unit detectives have charged a man and a woman in relation to an elaborate Facebook Marketplace scam last month.

It is alleged that a woman organised to meet an unsuspecting victim who was selling a high-end designer handbag online, worth thousands of dollars.

Officers have been told that during the meeting, the female buyer allegedly inspected the item, before a man approached her, and then assaulted and robbed her of the handbag before fleeing.

Police allege the female buyer and the man are known to each other and staged the robbery.

It’s alleged the pair then on sold the items, splitting the profit.

A 21-year-old Gladstone Park woman has been charged with perjury, theft and handle stolen goods.

A 28-year-old Broadmeadows man was charged with theft, handle stolen goods, and obtain property by deception.

The pair have been bailed to appear before Broadmeadows Magistrates’ Court on 9 October.