THUNDER BAY – Crimebeat – It is a saying that has lived down through the ages, Caveat emptor is Latin for ‘Let the buyer beware’. It means when you are making a purchase, especially one not from a person or business you know well, to keep your ears and eyes open. Thunder Bay Police have arrested a 35 year old Thunder Bay resident and laid two fraud related charges.
A complainant contacted the TBPS after he made a purchase of a backhoe and steer skidder that were advertised online on the Kijiji website. It is alleged that the complainant, who resides in Southern Ontario, entered into an agreement with the seller for the items that were posted on the website without seeing the items.
In a release, Thunder Bay Police state, “After the payment was made to the seller, the machinery was never delivered or the money returned”.
Police add that “A second complaint was received from a Thunder Bay resident who entered into an agreement with a male to purchase a number of new Televisions that he had in his possession. The complainant never received the televisions after she made payment for them”.
Richard Belbas, has been charged with Fraud over $5,000, Fraud Under $5,000, and Breach of an Undertaking and will appear in court in Thunder Bay.
Thunder Bay Police would like to caution the public about entering into transactions with individuals without seeing the product they are buying before they make a payment. Kijiji, like many e-commerce sites can be manipulated by fraudsters. You should always confirm what you’re buying and who you’re dealing with. A wise consumer should always be careful when making transactions with online parties.