The Manassas Park Police Department is warning residents about a Facebook Marketplace scam that has generated multiple reports and, in some cases, resulted in victims losing money and providing scammers with access to their personal devices and financial information. While the department’s warning was issued in Manassas Park, similar scams have been reported throughout Montgomery County and the surrounding region in recent years.
Many involve fake payment confirmations, requests for sellers to return money that was never actually received, and fraudulent customer service representatives who attempt to gain remote access to victims’ devices.
According to police, the scam often begins when a seller lists an item on Facebook Marketplace for a relatively low price, typically under $200. A potential buyer then contacts the seller through Facebook before quickly moving the conversation to text messages.
The scammer asks whether the seller uses a digital payment platform such as Zelle, Cash App, Venmo, Bitcoin, or Apple Pay and requests the email address associated with the account. The seller is then falsely told they must upgrade to a business account in order to receive payment.
Victims subsequently receive a fraudulent email claiming the buyer accidentally sent an additional payment, often around $500, and that the excess funds must be returned. The scam escalates when victims are directed to contact what appears to be customer support. Victims may speak with multiple individuals, including through video calls, and are instructed to download software or visit websites that allow scammers to remotely access their phone, tablet, or computer.
Once access is granted, scammers can obtain personal information and may pressure victims into sending additional payments through wire transfers, cash pickups, or other methods.
Police are reminding residents that legitimate payment platforms do not require users to send money in order to receive money. They also advise never allowing strangers remote access to personal devices and never sharing sensitive financial information with unknown individuals.
For online sales, police recommend meeting buyers in public locations during daylight hours, preferably in areas with surveillance cameras, and accepting cash whenever possible. Residents are also encouraged to use designated safe exchange zones, such as the one located at the Manassas Park Police Department.
Anyone who believes they may have been targeted or victimized by a scam is encouraged to contact their local police department.
