Facebook Marketplace mobile phone scam warning after 'switch'

The police have issued a mobile phone scam warning as they appeal for information.

At 1.30pm on Friday, May 17, on Risedale Drive in York, a victim purchased a mobile phone over Facebook Marketplace. They bought a Samsung mobile phone but later discovered it had been falsely advertised.

Instead, the phone was an older model, and now the police are searching for a man pictured on CCTV, as it is believed he has information which will assist in their investigation.

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North Yorkshire Police said: "We’ve issued this image of a man we would like to speak to, following a fraud incident in York.

"It happened at 1.30pm on Friday 17 May on Risedale Drive, York. The victim had purchased a mobile phone from Facebook Marketplace believing they were buying a Samsung mobile phone before later discovering that the phone was an older model than advertised.

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"Please contact us if you recognise the man pictured on CCTV, as he may have information that will assist our investigation."

If you have any information, you can email alan.mason@northyorkshire.police.uk. You can also call the police on 101 and ask for Alan Mason or contact Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555 111. You should quote reference number 12240086872.