Image courtesy of Barrie Police
Barrie Police are warning residents to be cautious when using online marketplaces after a seller was paid with counterfeit money.
The incident happened on the evening of Tuesday, March 17th, when an individual arranged to sell gold jewelry to a buyer they met through Facebook Marketplace. After communicating online and meeting several times to verify the items, the seller completed the transaction and was paid in cash using multiple $50 bills.
Investigators say the seller later discovered that most of the bills were counterfeit after examining them more closely.
“Be mindful if someone is handing over the same denomination,” notes Detective Constable Kris Nicholson with the Barrie Police Service Fraud Unit. “Most people would have a mixture of $20, $50, and $100 bills for large transactions.”
The suspect is described as a male in his late teens or early 20s, last seen wearing a green hoodie and black pants.
“Your best bet is to always trust your gut,” adds Nicholson. “Don’t be afraid to offend the buyer by saying you want to inspect the cash and make sure it’s legit. Anyone who is a serious purchaser will respect your concerns and work with you.”
Police say the investigation remains ongoing and are encouraging anyone who may have received counterfeit currency or has information to contact them.
