Scammers target Bournemouth residents on Facebook Marketplace

High value items are being sold on Facebook Marketplace and are being taken by people who are not paying. 

Tactics used by some of these scammers are described as being “brilliant” as they cunningly trick their victims into handing over expensive watches and phones without actually paying. 

One man, who asked for anonymity, had a man enquire about buying the high-end watch when he advertised it for £2,200 and had arranged to meet up at the victim’s house in Southbourne.

A £2,600 Tudor Ranger watch (Image: Sent in by reader)

He said: “Two young lads turned up to my door and they were very nice, they were very apologetic for turning up late, respectable. 

“Their theatre was brilliant, it was all part of the act of scamming, which they had obviously perfected; they looked at the serial number of the watch and made me an offer straight away which was a bit unusual.” 

Over tea and light conversation, the scammers then staged a bank transfer. 

“He showed me the page where the transactions are after the money didn’t come for 10 minutes and it showed his past transfers from shops,” the man added. 

“He then went on to call Metro Bank, even put them on speakerphone, but this is all part of the theatre, but he didn’t go into much detail, instead asked how long bank transfers take.

Police are investigating (Image: Newsquest)

“In the end, I said to them they can go and take the watch home. After a few hours, the money hadn’t cleared so I messaged him on Facebook and the then disappeared – his account was deleted.” 

Meanwhile, days later another woman in the West Howe area also had a similar incident when she went to sell her iPhone 13. 

She said: “He appeared 35 minutes late and when he eventually got here, he looked at my phone and straight away asked for my name and sort code. 

“He then said the money went through but I didn’t get a notification come through on my phone. 

“He then showed me the details on his phone and it had my name and bank details and minus £420 for the iPhone – it all looked very real. 

“I said to him it’s fine, I trust you but that I will contact him in two hours if the money doesn’t come through – straight away I started to panic. 

“I messaged him back and said the money hasn’t gone through and asked him to get back in touch. He read it and then his account vanished and I couldn’t send him any messages.” 

The woman said she “felt sick instantly”. 

Dorset Police said it is investigating both reports but said there was no indication that the two incidents are linked. 

The force added: “We would advise everyone to always check and be completely satisfied money is in your bank account before you hand over the goods.  

“Genuine buyers will accept that this is the correct practice.