Current timestamp: 01/04/2023 01:55:21
AgeAlertAnonymousAppealsApplicationsApply Or RegisterArea OutlineArrow DownArrow LeftArrow RightArrow UpAutomatic DoorsBack ArrowBusinessCalendarCashArrow DownArrow LeftArrow RightArrow Down[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-chrome' for 'English (United Kingdom)']ClockCloseContactDirectionsDocumentDownloadDrawDrugExpandExternal LinkFacebookFb CommentFb LikeFiletype DefaultFiletype DocFiletype PdfFiletype PptFiletype XlsFinance[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-firefox' for 'English (United Kingdom)']First AidFlickrFraudGive FeedbackGlobeGuide DogHealthHearing ImpairedInduction LoopInfoInstagramIntercom[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-internet-explorer' for 'English (United Kingdom)']LaptopLiftLinkedinLocal ActivityLoudspeakerLow CounterMailMapMap PinMembershipMenuMenu 2[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-microsoft-edge' for 'English (United Kingdom)']Missing PeopleMobility ImpairmentNationalityNorth PointerOne Mile RadiusOverviewPagesPaper PlaneParkingPdfPhonePinterestPlayPushchairRefreshReportRequestRestart[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-rotate-clockwise' for 'English (United Kingdom)']Rss[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-safari' for 'English (United Kingdom)']SearchShareSign LanguageSnapchatStart AgainStatsStats And Prevention AdviceStopSubscribeTargetTattosTell Us AboutTickTumblrTwenty Four HoursTwitterTwitter LikeTwitter ReplyTwitter RetweetUploadVisually ImpairedWhatsappWheelchairWheelchair AssistedWheelchair ParkingWheelchair RampWheelchair WcYoutubeZoom InZoom Out

Quickly exit this site by pressing the Escape key Leave this site

Skip to main content

Skip to main navigation

Welcome

This site is a beta, which means it's a work in progress and we'll be adding more to it over the next few weeks. Your feedback helps us make things better, so please let us know what you think.

Show me the site

HIOW-Force-logo-2-white ( 1)

Search this website

Main navigation menu

  • Report

    Back to Report

    • Crime
    • Domestic abuse
    • Rape, sexual assault and other sexual offences
    • Road traffic incident
    • Report antisocial behaviour
    • Missing person
    • Fraud
    • Civil disputes
    • Lost or found property
    • Lost or stolen vehicles
  • Tell us about

    Back to Tell us about

    • Tell us about possible terrorist activity
    • How to tell us about something you've seen or heard
    • An existing case or report
    • A procession or event you are planning
    • Filming
    • Abnormal vehicle load
  • Apply or register

    Back to Apply or register

    • Careers
    • Charity collection licences
    • Compensation for victims of crime
    • Firearm, shotgun or explosives certificate
    • Attend a misconduct hearing
  • Request

    Back to Request

    • A collision report
    • Intellectual property (IP) licence
    • Your fingerprints
    • Information: about the police, about yourself or someone else
  • Thanks and complaints

    Back to Thanks and complaints

    • Complaints
    • Say thanks
    • Feedback about the website
  • Your area

Breadcrumb

  1. ...
  2. News

Police warning about buying and selling online

Main article content

Navigation

News

13:51 17/12/2020

We would like to remind residents in Portsmouth to remain vigilant when buying and selling online, particularly in the lead-up to Christmas.

On Monday 14 December it was reported to us that a 20-year-old man from Southsea had been robbed of an iPhone and Apple Watch which he had advertised for sale on Facebook Marketplace.

The seller arranged to meet the prospective buyer at Bransbury Park, but on arrival was approached by two men, who threatened the seller with a knife and stole the items.

The victim was not hurt.

Investigations into this incident are ongoing.

We would like to take this opportunity to remind people to be vigilant when buying and selling via social media.

Some ways you can protect yourself as a buyer or seller online are:

  • If someone’s message or profile looks suspicious, trust your instincts and walk away.
  • When purchasing smaller items, do the exchange in a safe public place, such as a local police station.
  • Use an online payment option such as PayPal, which helps to protect you.
  • If you’re the buyer, never transfer money directly into a seller’s account without viewing the item in a safe secure place in person first.
  • If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Portsmouth South inspector Louise Tester said: “We are asking those buying and selling online to be cautious and report to us if you’ve seen or been involved in anything that has made you feel uncomfortable or suspicious.

“If someone’s message or profile seems suspicious, trust your instincts and walk away. Wherever possible, use an online payment option such as PayPal, which helps to protect you.

“If you do meet someone to buy or sell an item then make sure you do so in a safe public place, such as your local police station.

“If you have experienced something that seems suspicious, call 999 in an emergency. If you have any information on this crime, please call 101 and quote reference 44200481531.

“If you need to report something that is not urgent, you can do so by visiting our website - www.hampshire.police.uk.”

For more information and advice, or to report fraud you can also visit www.actionfraud.police.uk

Share

Is there a problem with this page?

Footer navigation

We use cookies on this site to give you a better, more personalised experience.

I'm fine with cookies I'd like to manage the cookies

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary

  • Contact us
  • News
  • Press
  • Careers
  • About us
  • Campaigns
  • Privacy notice
  • Cookies
  • Terms and conditions
  • Accessibility

Information and services

  • Advice and information
  • Crime prevention
  • Stats and data
  • Accessing information (FOI)
  • Report
  • Tell us about
  • Apply or register
  • Request
  • Feedback

Partners

  • Police.uk
  • Ask the police
  • Police & Crime Commissioner

Follow us on:

© Copyright 2023. All rights reserved.