Police Warn Public of Rising Scams on Facebook Marketplace

The Police Cyber Crime Centre has urged the public to exercise greater caution when using Facebook Marketplace due to the increasing prevalence of scams.

Authorities have advised users to scrutinise listings carefully, particularly those offering unusually low prices or deals that appear too good to be true. Conducting additional research before making a purchase is recommended to avoid falling victim to fraudulent schemes.

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The police also suggest reviewing the seller’s profile for signs of suspicious activity. Profiles with limited information, few friends, or recent creation dates may indicate a scam. Buyers are encouraged to verify the legitimacy of sellers before proceeding with transactions.

To enhance security, police recommend opting for “Cash on Delivery” when dealing with trusted sellers. This approach minimises the risk of financial loss by ensuring payment is made only upon receiving the item.

As part of efforts to combat online fraud, the Cyber Crime Centre has introduced “Flash Calls” as an alternative to traditional One-Time Passwords (OTP). This call-based authentication method is designed to be both cost-effective and efficient. When a service provider initiates a call or sends a missed call to a customer’s phone, the last digits of the incoming number function as an authentication code.

The Cyber Crime Centre has noted that an increasing number of companies are adopting Flash Calls as a replacement for OTPs, highlighting the growing shift towards this technology for enhanced digital security.