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A Henderson man has had an unexpected win after police recovered his stolen PlayStation 5 and arrested the woman accused of scamming him on Facebook Marketplace.
Last month, the man listed his PS5 for sale for $750, hoping to raise money for his wife’s dental surgery. Sergeant Juls Conder of the Waitematā West Enquiries Team says a woman contacted the victim and agreed to the price.
“The victim was sent a screenshot claiming she had transferred the payment to the victim’s bank account,” Conder says.
“Trusting the screenshot, he handed over the PlayStation to her in person outside an address on Geordie Street, Henderson.”
When the man checked with his bank, he discovered no payment had been made. He returned to the address but was met by a different person. Neighbours told him they did not know the woman, though similar incidents had occurred recently.
Police enquiries identified a woman matching the description who lived on the same street.
“On Wednesday, officers attended her address where she was taken into custody without incident,” Conder says.
Further enquiries led officers to a nearby Cash Converters, where the PlayStation was “miraculously still there”. It was returned to the victim shortly afterwards.
Police say anyone using social media to buy or sell items should meet in public places, avoid entering private homes, verify payment before handing over goods, and research the buyer or seller’s profile. People who believe they are victims of a scam are urged to contact Police on 105.
A 37-year-old woman is due to appear in the Waitākere District Court on 9 December charged with obtaining by deception.
