Toronto Police: Fake iPhone Ads Lured Victims to Location Only to Be Robbed

According to Toronto police, fake iPhone ads posted on Kijiji last month lured people out to a location, only to have victims robbed of their possessions, reports CBC News.

A series of people interested in buying a new iPhone headed out to an address in Scarborough last month, only to be robbed, Toronto police say.

Police say that ads appeared on Kijiji offering a new iPhone for sale. Interested buyers were instructed to head to an address on Guildcrest Drive, near Scarborough Golf Club Road and Kingston Road. Buyers were then robbed of their belongings when they arrived, police say.

The criminals used fake email and phone numbers to communicate with would-be buyers. Four alleged thefts or robberies have been investigated by police, but the latter suspects more victims may be out there.

One arrest was made this week, with another back in December. Both accused are 17 year old males, charged with five counts of theft under $5,000 and two counts of robbery, yet to be proven in court.

Toronto police say the investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact them at 416-808-4300 or Crime Stoppers at 416-222-8477.

This is a reminder it’s always a good idea to meet in a public place at a decent hour whenever you’re making a transaction from an online classified ad. Also, if the price seems ‘too good to be true’, it probably is. It’s stories like these I can understand why some skip Craigslist or Kijiji and just go the trade-in route at Apple Stores and other retailers to avoid the hassle.

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