Police are warning people to be vigilant after a number of scams involving items being sold on Facebook Marketplace.
It seems one man is behind a recent spate of crimes where the buyer, calling himself Peter Shyne, arrives to pick up an item he's agreed to purchase.
He shows the seller his phone as he supposedly transfers funds using a banking app.
The seller sees that they haven't received the money and Shyne tells them it can take a while for it to go through and he leaves with the item.
The seller later realises it was a fake account.
So far, scams have been reported involving an Apple Watch, a Nikon camera and accessories worth £1800, among other items.
Officers investigating the incident have warned people to be alert.
PC Clare Horner-Locko said:
“We have had at least eight of these reported to us in West Sussex, with another in East Sussex.
“The concern is there are more victims out there.
"We’d like to hear from anyone who has been affected by an incident like this, so we can gather as much information as possible and stop this scam from carrying on.”
The suspect is described as white, 5’ 10” to 6’ tall, of heavy build and with a strong Irish accent. He is usually wearing a baseball cap and a facemask.
Anyone with information is asked to report it online or call 101 quoting serial 664 of 03/09.
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