Four face charges in robberies from online buy-and-sell meetings
Police say the meetings involved online ads offering new cell phones for sale
London police have charged four people following a series of thefts and robberies involving online buy-and-sell meetings.
The meetings involved advertisements offering new cell phones for sale that were placed on buy-and-sell websites between Feb. 17 and March 11.
When buyers met the supposed sellers in person, they had their money stolen from them.
In one case, a victim was threatened with a firearm, and another case saw a residence being broken into, and two vehicles stolen.
So far, the charges laid are in connection with seven separate incidents, with a total of 10 victims.
Police believe there may be more victims, and are urging with anyone who had a similar experience to contact police.
"Do not carry large sums of cash and instead, consider an e-transfer once you are satisfied with the condition of the presented item for sale," Det. Sgt. Ryan Scrivens, head of the London Police Service's General Investigation Section, said in a police statement.
"When possible, be accompanied by a friend or family member and if the deal is simply too good to be true, recognize that it may be a lure used by a would-be thief."
Three of the accused are from London, and two of them are 15 years old.
The four males face a number of armed robbery, assault and theft charges.