PSP Jails Fraudster for Seven Years and Warns Public About Fake Online Sales
On October 21, PSP detained a 35‑year‑old suspect, imposing a seven‑year prison term for a series of thefts, fraud and forged documents.
📌 Key Highlights & Context
- The offender photographed construction equipment without permission and listed the items on Facebook Marketplace as if they were for sale.
- Buyers were deceived into paying for non‑existent goods, losing money to the scam.
- PSP urges consumers to verify sellers and report suspicious online listings to prevent further fraud.
Modus Operandi of the Fraudster
The suspect entered a construction company's site, took unauthorized photographs of equipment and materials, and posted them on digital platforms such as Facebook Marketplace, presenting them as available for purchase.
Impact of the Fake Listings
Several buyers, believing the items were real, transferred money but never received the advertised goods, resulting in financial losses.
- The listings did not correspond to actual equipment.
- Buyers could not recover their payments.
- PSP released a public warning to curb similar scams.
Sources
PSP entrega burlão à prisão e deixa alerta sobre vendas falsas online