Police officials are sharing some details about yet another scam marketplace buyers may want to be on the lookout for in Metro Vancouver.
The news comes from Richmond RCMP, who said that some marketplace sellers are engaging in what the police force is calling a sleight-of-hand scam.
According to the RCMP, the distraction theft warning comes after a new report involving an online marketplace cash transaction.
In one incident, someone who made a complaint said they arranged to meet a prospective buyer in a public location to complete the sale of a “high-value item” after communicating online.
The two individuals met, and the buyer produced an envelope that included the cash payment.
“As part of the interaction, the envelope was counted and handled multiple times while the parties negotiated the transaction,” RCMP said regarding the Metro Vancouver scam.
The seller provided the item to the suspect, and in return received an envelope they believed contained the cash payment that was previously counted.
After the exchange, the seller reported that the envelope was switched out and didn’t contain the agreed-upon cash payment.
“We see this type of crime surface from time to time, which involves distracting a seller and then covertly swapping envelopes,” Richmond RCMP Corporal and Media Relations Officer Frank Bryson said.
Bryson said that buying or selling things from marketplaces like Craigslist or Facebook carries inherent risks.
“We urge the public to take precautions to reduce risks, such as bringing a friend and using a highly visible location to conduct the transaction, such as the Exchange Zone at the Richmond RCMP Detachment,” he said.
Bryon added that if someone is unwilling or reluctant to conduct a sale at the police station, that should be considered a red flag.
Richmond RCMP warns of sleight of hand scam targeting online marketplace sellers https://t.co/gxQGyNWKfw pic.twitter.com/OEPkAwDGMo
— Richmond RCMP (@RichmondRCMP) April 16, 2026
Scammers seem to keep finding new and creative ways to take advantage of Metro Vancouver residents, including a scam we detailed last month involving chimey cleaning.