Warrant Officer Balan Muthan, head of communications for the Douglasdale police, said a resident opened a case of theft and fraud at the station after an online transaction turned sour.
Muthan said the resident used an online trade portal to advertise a number of undisclosed goods.
The resident was contacted by a potential buyer who agreed to make a deposit into the resident’s account before collecting the goods.
The buyer sent the resident the proof of payment and later that day sent a truck to fetch the goods from the resident’s house. After the goods had already been taken, the resident realised the payment did not reflect in his account. The proof of payment had been forged and the buyer could not be contacted.
Muthan said residents should always verify account details and payment proofs, and should always make sure they are paid prior to items being picked up by a buyer.
