A Henderson man has recovered his PlayStation 5 after being scammed while selling it on Facebook Marketplace to fund his wife’s dental surgery.
After agreeing on a $750 price, the buyer showed a fake bank transfer screenshot, prompting the victim to hand over the console in person.
When the payment never arrived, he returned to the address only to find strangers who knew nothing about the woman involved.
Police investigations identified a suspect living nearby, who was arrested without incident. Officers later found the PS5 at a local Cash Converters—still unsold—and returned it to the grateful owner.
Police are reminding the public to take precautions when buying or selling online, including meeting in public places, verifying buyer profiles, and avoiding trust in screenshots or advance payments.
Authorities urge anyone who suspects they’ve been scammed to contact Police or report online. A 37-year-old woman is due to appear in Waitākere District Court on 9 December, charged with obtaining by deception.
Image credit: Timothy Hales Bennett
