A New Plymouth man who drove to Hamilton to buy a motorcycle had his cash stolen at gunpoint after the phoney seller took him to a local farm.
Police said the "distraught" man flagged down a police patrol car at Otorohanga at 4pm yesterday, after three men fled with his money.
Detective Russell Crawford of the Ngaruawahia CIB said the victim travelled to Hamilton to purchase a motorbike he saw for sale on a Facebook site that specialises in selling motorbikes.
"He had arranged to meet the seller at the Five Crossroads shops but when he arrived the "seller" advised him to go to a Gordonton property.
"When the victim arrived a Caucasian male opened a farm gate to let the victim's car and trailer in and suddenly he found himself confronted by a second male brandishing a firearm.
Mr Crawford said the offenders made the man lie on the ground and threatened to shoot him several times.
"The pair have taken the victim's money he intended purchasing the motorbike with and fled in a getaway vehicle driven by a third offender.
"The man was so shaken he didn't call 111 and instead began to drive home, flagging down the first police car he saw which was in Otorohanga. "
Mr Crawford said the case was a reminder to be wary of dealing with strangers and where possible, conduct transactions using traceable payment options.
He urged potential buyers to take some simple safety precautions:
• Where possible avoid paying cash, instead make a bank payment so there is an auditable trail of the transaction
• Avoid carrying large some of cash and if you must use this form of payment, ensure you go with someone else and conduct the transaction in a well-lit, public place where you can be seen
• Obtain as much detail of the seller as you can prior to the purchase such as their name, their phone number, address or any other identifiable piece of information
• Remember, if the deal seems too good to be true it probably is and by buying that super deal you may make yourself the next victim
• Never use a money transfer service to send money overseas
• Keep all emails, texts and messages exchanged with the seller.