Facebook Marketplace scam: Fake buyer ‘armed with a knife’ threatens Aussie – forcing him to leave his home
An Australian man is so shocked by a failed deal on Facebook Marketplace that he packed up his belongings and left his home for good – after the alleged perpetrator warned: “I have your address.”
Julian Rivers-Smith, 33, was confronted by an armed gang after inviting a potential buyer to pick up a laptop from his home in Ascot Vale in inner-city Melbourne.
He became suspicious when the ‘buyer’ showed up wearing a face mask during the March 25 incident and tried to pay for the laptop via a fake banking website.
CCTV footage of the ensuing confrontation showed Mr Rivers-Smith and a friend running into his home to safety before slamming the door.
The alleged scammer, who was reportedly armed with a knife, told him: “I got your address, bro. Don’t forget your car is here.’
The fake buyer’s accomplice then smashed the windows of Mr Rivers-Smith’s car with a metal bat before fleeing in an allegedly stolen Ford Falcon.
Julian Rivers-Smith, 33, was confronted by an armed gang after inviting a potential buyer to pick up a laptop from his Melbourne home. The confrontation was captured on CCTV at home
Mr Rivers-Smith said he was shocked by their threats to return to his home and has decided to move to the highway.
“This has weighed heavily on my mind since the incident,” he said 7News.
He said another car belonging to him was stolen in December – allegedly by the teenager accused of killing young doctor Ash Gordon, 33, during a botched home invasion.
Dr. Gordon, 33, was fatally stabbed as he chased two intruders who broke into his Sargent Street home in inner Melbourne’s Doncaster.
“It’s made me not want to live in Victoria anymore,” Rivers-Smith said.
“I’m leaving the state literally because of the crime and nothing else.”
The fake buyer’s accomplice smashed the windows of Mr Rivers-Smith’s car with a metal bat before fleeing in an allegedly stolen Ford Falcon (pictured)
Victoria Police said the investigation was ongoing but no arrests had been made.
“It is understood that the victim arranged the sale of a laptop at a residence on Hockey Lane at approximately 9.15am,” police said in a statement.
“Detectives learned that unknown perpetrators used items to significantly damage the victim’s vehicle during the exchange.
“It is clear that the perpetrators got into a car and fled.”
Police have asked anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers.