Jun 29, 2026
A Facebook Marketplace sale could end up costing you instead of earning you money. That’s been the case for several sellers who’ve been robbed at gunpoint in recent exchanges across the country.
A routine Facebook Marketplace sale turned into an armed robbery on June 27 after a Fairfield, New Jersey, seller attempting to offload a MacBook was confronted by a gunman who fled with the laptop without paying.
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Authorities allege the suspect displayed a handgun before stealing the computer and fleeing the scene, according to News 12. The investigation is ongoing.
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The Fairfield robbery isn’t an isolated incident. Earlier this month in Portland, Oregon, two teenagers stole an electric bicycle at gunpoint. The incident was only one of a string of Portland’s recent armed robberies connected to online marketplace sales.
Last month, a man trying to sell iPhones through Facebook Marketplace in Montgomery County, Maryland, was met by two men who pulled guns on him when he arrived, according to WHIO-TV 7. While he got away, not everyone has been so lucky.
In South Bend, Indiana, 40-year-old Jean Gragg, was fatally shot after her son arranged to meet with an 18-year-old man he had been communicating with through Facebook Marketplace. Her son was trying to sell a watch, according to NBC Chicago.
Countless other reports of Facebook Marketplace crimes have cropped up across the country this year — with armed users robbing everything from laptops and athletic shoes to dirt bikes and phones.
“Online marketplaces provide a convenient way for people to buy and sell items, but criminals can take advantage of these transactions when proper precautions are not taken,” Detective Sgt. Matt Jacobsen of the Major Crimes Unit said in a news release cited by Portland’s KATU ABC 2. “A few simple safety measures can significantly reduce the risk of becoming a victim.”
Selling online can still be a smart way to earn extra cash. But before you set up time and place to meet a potential Facebook buyer, consider these tips to stay safe.
Trust your instincts
Portland Police spokesperson Sgt. Kevin Allen told KATU ABC 2 that if you are planning to meet up with someone to sell an item, be sure to first check the profile of the person for any red flags and trust your gut.
“If you’re getting some weird vibes about this potential exchange, you know, maybe think twice about going through with it, or taking extra precautions,” he said.
Jeremy Roy, Chief of Staff with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, also told WHIO-TV, that, if something “doesn’t feel right,” you should listen to that feeling.
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“When you’re selling something on Facebook Marketplace … and then they’re changing the location as you’re getting there, those should be red flags that something is amiss,” he said.
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Meet in a public place
Authorities have investigated Marketplace robberies involving suspects making bogus purchase offers and luring victims into isolated meeting spots.
They say you should arrange the exchange for a public place. Meeting during the daytime or in a well-lit location — preferably where surveillance cameras can capture the exchange, such as outside of a coffee shop or storefront — is also a smart idea.
“We want the community to be safe and use caution and walk into these deals with a bit of skepticism and look for safe locations,” Maryland’s Prince George’s County Police Chief, George Nader, told Fox 5 DC. “If you’re asking me to come to a poorly lit parking lot, that should raise a flag for you.”
Bring a buddy
Bring a second person with you whenever possible. A witness might help deter would-be thieves, and they may be able to help you get away should something go wrong. In the event of a robbery, a second person may also be able to help provide valuable information for a police report.
It’s also wise to let someone know where you are meeting the Facebook buyer and when you expect to be home, especially if you’re selling a high-value item.
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AnnaMarie is a weekend editor for Moneywise.
