PG County Sees Robbery Spike Tied to Social Media Marketplace Sales

Prince George's County has seen roughly two dozen robberies tied to online marketplace sales in just the past three months, Police Chief George Nader says, a number that already dwarfs the approximately 10 similar cases recorded in all of last year.

The surge spans the county, with incidents confirmed in Hyattsville, College Park and Oxon Hill. Suspects have posed as buyers or sellers to lure victims, then robbed them using weapons or counterfeit money. The items targeted range widely: tools, shoes, coats, televisions, video game systems and cars have all been involved. In one case, a buyer agreed to purchase a $10,000 watch for $1,000 and was robbed at the meetup.

"We want the community to be safe and use caution and walk into these deals with a bit of skepticism and look for safe locations. If you're asking me to come to a poorly lit parking lot, that should raise a flag for you," Nader said.

Police have made several arrests in connection with the marketplace robberies, though investigators are urging residents to stay vigilant regardless. The department's core warning is straightforward: if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.

One concrete precaution Nader's department is pushing is using police station lobbies as transaction sites. Prince George's County police stations keep their lobbies open to the public specifically for exchanges like these, offering a surveilled, staffed environment that removes the risks of isolated parking lots or private addresses.

With the pace of incidents already outrunning last year's full total before spring, the department says the trend is ongoing and the guidance isn't precautionary so much as urgent.