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…