Gumtree phone fraud suspect is caught on video
A suspected thief accused of tricking Gumtree users into handing over their phones in their own homes has been caught on camera.
The website allows users to buy and sell goods and services, and the man is alleged to have visited three sellers' homes, in Walsall and Birmingham.
Once inside, he is said to have secretly swapped their handsets for identical dummy phones before leaving without paying.
Two Samsung phones and an iPhone, with an estimated value of £900, were taken.
Three identical thefts happened - one in Eaton Road, Moseley, Birmingham on June 2, and two on June 6, in Lyncroft Road, Tyseley, and Wolverhampton Road, Walsall.
West Midlands Police said: "These are being treated as linked, and we are appealing for any information. We are also warning all online sellers to be aware of this scam.
"Our advice to anyone buying or selling to strangers in person via the internet is to meet in a neutral location. Do not let goods out of your sight, and always be mindful of who you let into your home.
"Anyone with information is asked to contact Dc Tom Lyons on 101 or email contactus@west-midlands.pnn.police.uk."
