Montgomery County Police are reminding residents to stay vigilant when buying or selling items through online marketplaces, following recent incidents involving thefts and robberies during arranged meetups.
Captain Nick Picerno, Commander of MCPD’s 5th District in Germantown, issued the reminder on Sunday, urging community members to take extra precautions when completing in-person exchanges.
“Online market places can be a great place to find deals, but a deal that’s ‘too good to be true’ can be risky or even dangerous. We have seen thefts and robberies happen at exchanges,” Picerno said. He encouraged buyers and sellers to use the 5th District police station as a safe meeting location when arranging transactions with strangers.
While adding a note of humor about the popular collectible market, Picerno said, “Although I can’t promise the Labubu you are buying is real…the station lot is well lit, monitored by cameras, and would deter most criminals from taking advantage of anyone just trying to get a good deal!”
The Germantown station, like others across the department, is equipped with surveillance cameras and bright lighting, making it a safer alternative to conducting exchanges in parking lots or residential areas. Police recommend that residents avoid secluded locations, bring a friend when possible, and trust their instincts when coordinating online sale meetups.
