Melun: eleven people attacked during a PS5 scam on Leboncoin
Sony's new console, the Playstation 5, has been just as hard to get hold of since its release in November 2020. In Melun (Seine-et-Marne), eleven people fell into the trap of a group of criminals who had posted a fake advert on Leboncoin.
A tempting advert
The PS5 is sold in official shops for €399 for the Playstation 5 Digital Edition, and €499 for the standard model. Since all shops regularly run out of stock, it's easier to find it on classified ad sites. However, it's on sale there at an average price of €800, and some individuals can push that price up to over €1,000.
So, in order to attract as many buyers as possible, these scammers posted an advert on the famous classifieds site Leboncoin, offering a standard model PS5 for just €650. If you compare this price with other ads posted on classifieds sites, at first glance it looks like a bargain!
The buyers ended up in hospital
Unsurprisingly, several buyers quickly showed an interest in the property for sale. The scenario was the same for all of them. After a few exchanges on the platform for transactions between private individuals, the scammer arranged to meet his victim on one of the floors of a council tower block, to hand over the coveted PS5 in person. Once there, 4 masked individuals waited for each buyer to steal the money used to buy the console.
Some of the victims were assaulted, with one woman claiming to have been threatened with a knife, another with a hammer and another with a stun gun. Some of the victims were admitted to hospital, one with a shoulder injury and another with several broken fingers.
Investigation launched
At the same time, several complaints were lodged with the Melun Val de Seine police station. Various people claim to have answered the same advert on Leboncoin and to have been victims of an assault in the same area of Melun.
The search began a week ago. Through their investigations, the police learned from Leboncoin that there would be a new meeting with a new victim. On Tuesday 4 May, the police therefore set up a trap at the meeting place given by the attackers. They succeeded in arresting four individuals aged between 16 and 18.
Buy your used consoles from Obvy
At the moment, it's still very difficult to get hold of Sony's new home console, the PS5. But Sony is planning a redesign of its popular home console that will put an end to this shortage by 2022.
Until then, to avoid used PS5 scams, use Obvy to secure your transactions between individuals. Obvy is a payment solution that has been designed with the ultimate aim of countering scams between individuals on classified ad sites in particular. Thanks to our functionalities, you can carry out your transactions between private individuals with complete peace of mind.
However, we would like to remind you that it is your responsibility to remain wary when meeting strangers. Tell your friends and family and try to be accompanied whenever possible.