Durham online marketplace scams involving counterfeit cash and potentially dangerous in-person meetings are prompting renewed warnings for residents who buy or sell items through Facebook Marketplace, Kijiji and similar platforms.
Police services across Ontario have investigated transactions that ended in robbery, threats, assaults or sellers unknowingly accepting counterfeit money.
Durham Regional Police recently charged two Oshawa youths following an investigation into fraudulent cellphone purchases arranged through online marketplaces.
Police allege the suspects created fake accounts and contacted at least 15 sellers between January and April 2026. Meetings were arranged at different locations in Oshawa, where counterfeit currency was allegedly exchanged for cellphones before the suspects left.
Investigators said more than $6,800 worth of cellphones was obtained through the alleged scheme.
The charges have not been proven in court.
Marketplace Transactions Have Led to Robberies
Durham online marketplace scams have not been limited to counterfeit-cash transactions.
In July 2025, Durham police investigated a Pickering robbery after a seller advertised jewellery through Facebook Marketplace and arranged to meet a prospective buyer.
Police alleged the buyer handed the seller an empty envelope and displayed a handgun when confronted before leaving with the jewellery.
A separate marketplace transaction in Whitby involved a seller who arranged to sell a microphone. Police said two suspects attended the meeting, and one allegedly threatened the seller with a knife before taking the item.
Other Ontario police services have reported similar incidents involving smartphones, jewellery, gold and other expensive items.
Residents should be particularly cautious when selling products that can be quickly resold, including phones, laptops, gaming systems, jewellery and precious metals.
Warning Signs of Online Marketplace Scams
Potential warning signs can include buyers who:
- Insist on meeting at a private home or isolated location.
- Refuse to meet in a busy public area.
- Apply pressure to complete the transaction quickly.
- Offer more than the advertised price without explanation.
- Use newly created or incomplete social-media profiles.
- Arrive with additional people who were not mentioned beforehand.
- Request that the seller hand over the item before payment is verified.
- Pay with large-denomination cash that cannot be immediately authenticated.
Sellers should not rely solely on screenshots showing an electronic transfer. Money should be confirmed inside the seller’s own banking application before an item is released.
How to Conduct Safer Marketplace Exchanges
Residents can reduce their risk by arranging transactions during daylight hours in busy, well-lit public locations covered by security cameras.
Tell a trusted person where the meeting will occur and consider bringing another adult. Avoid inviting unfamiliar buyers into a home whenever possible.
Before meeting, review the buyer’s profile, previous activity and marketplace history. Keep communications inside the selling platform so there is a record of the conversation.
Expensive products should not be handed over until payment has been independently confirmed. Sellers accepting cash should inspect the bills carefully and avoid transactions if they feel rushed or uncertain.
Do not confront a person who displays a weapon, makes threats or attempts to take an item by force. Move to safety and call 911.
Suspicious activity and non-emergency incidents in Durham Region can be reported to Durham Regional Police at 1-888-579-1520. Anonymous information may be provided to Durham Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
Residents can also report eligible minor fraud and theft incidents through the Durham police online-reporting system.
