Facebook buy-and-sell groups being used by scammers to profit from flood victims

Unsuspecting victims in dire need of financial support are being scammed into buying furniture items from fake sellers. Read how the scammers operate.

Heartless scammers are preying on flood victims in the Northern Rivers with multiple reports of buyers sending money to fake sellers.

The scammers are using multiple aliases on Facebook, pretending to sell furniture then taking the money without producing the goods promised.

Jimmy Reynish lost “95 percent” of his property in Woodburn due to the floods and

turned to Facebook marketplace as well as buy and swap groups to find cheap furniture replacements.

Jimmy Reynish, with the backdrop of what was once his property. Photo: Jimmy Reynish

He intended on buying a fridge, washing machine and a dryer after his were flood damaged.

“I was only looking at the buy and swap groups because of the flood damage,” Mr Reynish said.

The seller claimed “many people were asking about it so can you bank transfer the amount then I will mark it as SOLD ASAP and HOLD it for you”.

Mr Reynish assumed no one would take advantage of those in need in such a time, so placed a $100 deposit into his Commonwealth bank account.

Mr Reynish then asked the seller for his address.

The seller responded days later, claiming he was “sending it now”, but Reynish never heard back.

Scammers are targeting buy and sell groups on Facebook to list fake items to unsuspecting victims.

Police told Mr Reynish there was nothing they could do as he had willingly made the payments.

The ad remains visible on the Lennox Head buy and sell group and many others are falling for the deception.

The seller also lists a dog kennel, trampoline, bunk bed. Each item has images. It remains unclear where the images are sourced from.

Mr Reynish said he hoped his story will save others from losing money.

“I’m angry that I got suckered in at a time where we can’t afford to let money just go.”

He said the floods “totally wiped out” his plans to complete renovations after fourteen years.

“Karma has a way of working her magic,” Mr Reynish said.

Jimmy Reynish’s furniture was barely salvageable after the floods, so he turned to the community. Photo: Jimmy Reynish

Many other pages, including Coffs Buy and Sell facebook pages contain similar scams and users are urged to be aware.

Coffs Harbour residents are also urged to be on guard following reports of people applying for centrelink relief support payments using false addresses.

NSW Police advised the community to also be on the watch for door knockers, impersonating volunteer or government organisations asking for donations.

“It is unthinkable that scammers would use this as an opportunity to target people and communities,” NSW Police said on Facebook.

Attempts were made to contact Woodburn and Lsimore police stations for comment.

If you suspect a scam, report it to this website.