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Two men arrested in Cape Town over Facebook Marketplace scam

Published

Police arrested two men on fraud charges at Riverlands Mall in Observatory after a seller reported a fake R29,000 payment for a camera. Police said the suspects are linked to an existing fraud case and other alleged scams.

Police's drone unit went to the mall on Monday, where officers arrested and detained the two suspects. Police took them to Woodstock police station for profiling. Police spokesperson Colonel Andrè Traut said the seller's payment did not show in his bank account, which raised suspicion.

Traut said the suspects link to a fraud case already registered at Milnerton police station. Police also link them to other alleged incidents in which three victims were reportedly scammed.

Police urged sellers to check that funds are in their bank accounts before they hand over goods. Traut said: "A payment notification, screenshot or proof of payment is not confirmation that money has been received."

Key facts

Who
Andrè Traut (Police spokesperson (Col)); Woodstock police station (where the suspects were taken for profiling); Milnerton police station (where an existing fraud case was registered)
What
Police's drone unit was called to Riverlands Mall in Observatory, where two suspects were arrested and detained on fraud charges after a seller reported a fake R29,000 payment for a camera. Police urged sellers to verify funds in their bank accounts before handing over goods.
When
26 October 2026
Where
Cape Town, Observatory, Riverlands Mall
Status
Reported

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