Facebook Marketplace robbery victim relieved after gang’s arrest

A Gauteng man almost lured to his death after responding to a Facebook Marketplace advertisement says he’s relieved following the arrest of a gang believed to be behind a spate of robberies linked to the e-commerce platform.

Eleven people were arrested on Friday in Winterveld, north of Pretoria, by members of crime intelligence.

They are believed to be part of a gang targeting unsuspecting buyers on Facebook Marketplace.

The gang allegedly lured the unsuspecting victim to the area last year under the false pretence of selling him a truck.

The arrest of the eleven men has been welcomed by Gauteng resident Bruce Moller.

Moller and his friend responded to an advert for a vehicle on Facebook Marketplace in November.

After arriving at the pick-up location in Winterveld, the pair was ambushed and shot by a criminal.

Moller sustained a gunshot wound to the leg while his friend was shot in the abdomen.

The men drove themselves 50km to the nearest hospital.

He said there were no signs the advert was bogus: “I didn’t feel I was in a trap, it was so professionally done. I asked the guy for his number, he sent it to me and I phoned him. We liaised over the phone and on WhatsApp the whole time, and nothing felt like it was going to threaten me or I was in danger or anything.”

The gang comprised 10 men and a woman – who was illegally operating a shebeen where the gang would gather.

-EWN

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