Ottawa Police warn robberies through online marketplace sales spiking

Ottawa police said they’re seeing a spike in robberies of personal electronics, tied to sales on Kijiji and Facebook Marketplace.

The Ottawa Police Service (OPS) Robbery Unit said there has been 30 percent more in-person robberies reported from these exchanges since October.

People shouldn’t organize exchanges at their homes, instead they should use one of the OPS’ ‘Safe Trade Exchange Zones’ which were launched back in October, said Detective Jo-Lynn Wellman with the OPS Robbery Unit.

“We remind the public to use these spaces and put their personal safety at the forefront when completing online transactions exchanges,” Wellman said.

Alternatively, she suggested setting a meet-up in a well-lit, video-surveilled, public place with a friend.

If you’re planning on meeting someone for an exchange, Wellman offered the following tips to minimize the risk of being robbed:

• Be wary if dealing with newly created accounts.
• Check the account’s reviews and ratings for any red flags.
• If the price of the item seems too good to be true, it probably is.
• Meet during daylight hours if you’re planning to meet in person; and
• Any last-minute changes to the location is a red flag.

Police warn that Safe Trade Zones are not always monitored and the OPS does not assume any responsibility for any transactions or mediate the use of its premises for this purpose.