New Castle County Police are warning about the possibility of robberies that can occur through contact made with a buy-sell app.
On Feb. 24, New Castle County Police were dispatched to the community of Mayview Manor and learned that a 41-year-old man was selling a dirt bike and advertised the sale on the Letgo mobile phone and computer app.
The app has been heavily advertised on television but is not alone in being used as a tool by felons, who also use Crag’s List and other tools.
He agreed to meet the seller in the parking lot of the Rosehill Community Center. The seller drove off with the dirt bike during the test drive.
On Sunday, County Police were sent to the 100 block of Gladstone Way for the report of a theft in progress.
Police learned that the 16-year-old had made arrangements to purchase a new iPhone using LetGo.
When the seller of the iPhone met up with the victim, he kept the phone, took $130.00 from him and fled the area on foot.
Police are advising the public to follow these tips when using online applications to sell or purchase merchandise.
- Insist on meeting in a public place during the day or in a well-lit area that has cameras.
- Do not meet anyone alone, do not meet at your residence.
- Do not meet at a secondary location or deviate from the original plan
- If the deal is too good to be true, it probably is.
- LetGo, which has been downloaded millions of times offers similar tips.
It advises users who see a suspiciously low price or another possible attempt to lure victims to report that information.
Anyone with information on the above incidents can contact New Castle County Police at (302) 573-2800. Tips can also be submitted at www.nccpd.com.
