Social media scammer doesn’t actually sell chickens

A person types on a cellphone in this file image. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Kawartha Lakes Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is investigating a recent online fraud.

Provincial police started the investigation after a local resident reported being defrauded while attempting to purchase poultry online.

The suspect used a Facebook buy-and-sell group under the profile name Thomas Daystar.

The buyer agreed to purchase three Black Copper Marans chickens and immediately sent an e-transfer of $60 to the suspect.

The fraud victim was instructed to pick up the livestock at an address on Chambers Road in Fenelon Township.

However, when he/she arrived at the address, they discovered the address was unrelated to the suspect and realized that they had been scammed.

The fraudulent post has since been removed from the Facebook group, and police are actively working to identify the individual(s) behind the profile.

Fraud Prevention Tips for Online Purchases:

Verify before you pay: Beware of sellers who demand immediate payment or e-transfers before you can physically verify the items or livestock.

Research the seller: Check the member’s history within the buy-and-sell group. Brand-new profiles, profiles with limited public information, or names that cannot be verified elsewhere are common red flags.

Confirm locations: If a pickup address is given, try to verify it independently or ask for a landmark before sending any funds.

Report suspicious activity: If you suspect a post or member is fraudulent, report them immediately to group administrators, as well as the social media platform to protect other members.

The investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information regarding this incident, or anyone who may have had similar interactions with a profile operating under the name Thomas Daystar, is asked to contact the City of Kawartha Lakes OPP at 1-888-310-1122.

Should you wish to remain anonymous, you may call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).