An alleged Facebook Marketplace scammer is now facing a raft of charges after he defrauded victims out of thousands of dollars.
Earlier this year, Police received multiple complaints about a Facebook Marketplace user who had failed to send items to buyers.
The seller had allegedly pocketed more than $13,700 after taking payments for goods including electronics, fishing reels, sports merchandise, music equipment, Lego, and Pokémon cards.
Acting Detective Senior Sergeant James Kim, Waitematā North Area Investigation Manager, says Operation Camrose was established to locate the serial scammer.
"Enquiries revealed that between February and August of this year, the offender had been defrauding victims through Facebook Marketplace on a daily basis.
"He operated under multiple identities, and his fraudulent activity spanned the North Island."
Due to the scale of offending, the investigation required a coordinated response between Police districts across the country.
Yesterday, investigators in the Orewa Tactical Crime Unit executed a search warrant at an address in Arkles Bay.
A 42-year-old man was arrested and charged with 22 counts of obtains by deception; failing to comply with obligations relating to a computer search; possession of cannabis utensils; possession of methamphetamine utensils; injuring with intent to injure; and two counts of contravening a protection order.
He has been remanded in custody and will reappear in North Shore District Court on 13 January 2027.
Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Kim says Operation Camrose highlights the importance of exercising caution when using buy and sell platforms.
“These sites are a hunting ground for criminals to buy items using a fake bank transfer or sell items that don’t exist.
“We are urging those who use these platforms to do their due-diligence and not exchange any money without first examining the product.”
Police encourage consumers to only purchase items from trusted retailers or, when purchasing off TradeMe, using the PING payment method which provides buyers with some protections.
ENDS.
Frankie Le Roy/NZ Police.