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Gatineau police warned the public to be cautious in private sales after three people were arrested following what police described as an “online sale gone wrong”.
On Saturday at about 10 p.m., officers responded to a robbery in a parking lot at 25 Chemin de la Savane, in the Gatineau sector, police said in a news release Monday.
Police said information suggested individuals had arrived at the spot to make an exchange after an online sale, but two sellers reportedly arrived with what appeared to be “a firearm and a bladed weapon”. One person pointed the firearm at the buyer, leading to an altercation between three individuals, police said.
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The three people were all injured, with one of the sellers, a 25-year-old man from the Montreal area, still in hospital as of Monday, police said, adding that he, along with a minor and an accomplice, will face charges of assault with a weapon, conspiracy and robbery.
The buyer was released without being charged.
Police reminded the public to be extra cautious when trading after an online sale, offering guidelines for safe exchanges.
Prevention tips
- During meetings, secure exchange areas should be preferred. Otherwise, it is suggested that you fall back on public places during busy hours.
- Secure interchange zones are set up in the parking lots of police stations in the Gatineau and Hull sectors. They are clearly identified by blue road markings and permanent signage. A surveillance camera is also in operation 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Tips for sellers
- As a seller, you should always try to find out about the buyer before making a transaction. If their profile seems to have been created very recently or if it gives little information, there is reason to be suspicious.
- It is important to always make sure that the payment is valid before giving an item to a potential buyer, even if the buyer says they want to inspect it before buying it.
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Tips for buyers
- As a buyer, you should always try to find out about the seller before making a transaction. If their profile seems to have been created very recently or if it gives little information, there is reason to be suspicious.
- If the asking price is much lower than the actual value of the item, be suspicious, especially if the seller indicates that the item is new or almost new.
- Ask questions about the item and ask to see more photos. You can also search for reverse images using a search engine like “Google images” to see if they are from another ad.
- You should always ask the seller to show you the item before proceeding with the payment and try, remotely, to spot if it has any anomalies.
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