Avon and Somerset Police are investigating a series of suspected frauds involving sales made through Facebook Marketplace in Somerset.
The force has revealed that three incidents sharing the “same method” occurred in April, prompting an ongoing investigation due to the linked nature of the offences.
On the morning of Friday, 24 April, in Norton Fitzwarren, Taunton, a seller arranged to meet a buyer following an advertisement for computer equipment on Facebook Marketplace. The buyer provided false payment details, claiming the transaction had been completed. However, no money was received before he left with items including a computer graphics card, a mobile phone, and a laptop.
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Police enquiries suggest two similar offences took place the previous day, on 23 April, in Bath and the Weston-super-Mare area. These incidents used the same fraudulent method.
A 25-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the investigation. He has since been interviewed and released on police bail as enquiries continue.
In a public appeal issued on Saturday, 8 August, a spokesperson for Avon and Somerset Police stated: “Following a number of enquiries, we are now releasing an image of a man we would like to identify as we believe he may have information that could assist our investigation.”
The man is described as white, stocky in build, and aged between 20 and 25 years.
Members of the public who have any information are urged to contact the police by calling 101 and quoting reference number 5226112785.