RRPD roundup: Social media scam; information sought

Details: Lance Martin; News; 22 September 2022; 5809

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There was never an attempt to sell a child ⏤ only an attempt to get some quick money, said Roanoke Rapids police Captain Jamie Hardy.

The police department received information about a Facebook post regarding the attempted sale of a child posted to a free dogs and cats page on the social media platform.

On August 29 the post read: Available for adoption ⏤ message me if interested. The post contained a photo of a local mother and child.

The scammer was trying to get people interested in the child to send them money before a sham meet-up. The money was to be sent via a cash app, Hardy said.

As it turned out, no one locally was taken by the scam. “There was no child involved and this was purely a scam to cheat people out of money,” Hardy said.

The post has since been taken down along with the link to the cash app. It is not clear whether the post was generated locally, Hardy said. “It was somebody trying to get some quick money.”

In a statement on the matter Hardy said, “We want everyone to be aware of this post and to be mindful when viewing posted content on Facebook. If you see something that doesn’t appear normal, please do not hesitate to contact your local police or sheriff’s department.”

He said the police department also wants to make people aware that the photos an individual posts to social media can be used by scammers to give the appearance they have ties to the local community “in hopes of convincing someone to send them money. We urge everyone not to give away their hard-earned money.”

Information sought

In another matter the police department is seeking the public’s help in identifying three people reportedly involved in a larceny at Lowe’s on September 4 around 6:45 p.m.