Online Marketplace Scam: Man Pays $2,700 for Stones Instead of Playstation 5

On May 10th, 2026, the Besson Street Police District began investigating a case of online marketplace fraud. The report was lodged by a 20-year-old man from Oropune Gardens, Piarco who fell victim to a scam involving the sale of a Playstation 5 on Facebook Marketplace. The seller, operating under the pseudonym ‘Luke Lewis’, had set the price for the gaming console at $2,700.00 TTD. The transaction occurred on May 8th, 2026, at the intersection of Park Street and Charlotte Street, close to the Republic Bank car park in Port of Spain. However, instead of the Playstation 5, the victim was given a black plastic bag with three large stones. The suspect is described as a slim African man, around 5’9” tall, last seen dressed in dark clothing. He fled the scene on foot shortly after the exchange. The police are currently investigating the incident, having visited the scene and requested CCTV footage. The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service has issued a reminder urging the public to exercise caution when conducting transactions through online marketplaces. They advised the public to meet in safe public places, inspect the items before making a payment, avoid carrying large sums of cash, and consider making transactions at secure locations like police stations.