Police are investigating a "buy-and-sell" robbery in the Fiddlesticks area of Cambridge involving the purchase of a cell phone that was arranged online.
In a news release, Waterloo Regional Police said that on July 2 at around 9 p.m., they received a report of a robbery in the area of Saginaw Parkway and Stonecairn Drive.
The victim arranged to meet the suspect after arranging to purchase a cell phone posted on a buy-and-sell website.
Upon paying for and receiving the phone, the victim realized the phone was "fake" and requested his money back, police said in a news release.
"Three additional individuals then attended the area and threatened the victim and demanded the phone back," according to police.
No physical injuries were reported as a result of the incident, police said.
Anyone who has information is asked to contact police at 519-570-9777. Anonymous information can be provided to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
Police have set up buy-and-sell exchange zones in Waterloo Region to make transactions safer. For information, visit this link.
Police also offer these tips to protect yourself during a buy and sell exchange:
- Complete your transaction during daytime hours only.
- Use the buddy system when possible. Bring a family or friend with you, or at the very least, let someone know who you will be meeting, the time, and the location of the exchange.
- When meeting in person, always inspect goods you wish to purchase before giving money to the seller.
- Limit the amount of personal information you provide.
- Stop. Pause. Think. If something seems too good to be true, it likely is.
