Three suspects are now in police custody, and several victims have already come forward after officers of the Central Division conducted an operation in response to the disturbing trend of Larceny Trick incidents.
On Friday 23rd August 2024, in response to numerous reports of a “work-to-own” vehicle scam operating on Facebook Marketplace, officers from the Caroni Station District conducted a sting operation using intelligence and meticulous surveillance. This led to the detention of three individuals, aged 17, 20 and 23, and the recovery of a sum of money.
The operation was led by Snr. Superintendent Garvin Simon of the Central Division, supervised by Sgt Richardson and executed by Cpl Phillips, along with Ag. Cpl Mohammed and PCs Bowen and Ramnarine.
In light of this successful exercise, the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) is again issuing a strong warning to all citizens: do not fall victim to scams. Criminals are becoming increasingly sophisticated, preying on the hopes and vulnerabilities of individuals through deceptive schemes like the “work-to-own” vehicle scam. These criminals ‘sell dreams’, promising easy rewards, but ultimately lead their victims into physical harm and financial loss.
They urge everyone to exercise extreme caution when engaging in any online transactions or offers that seem too good to be true.
Verify the legitimacy of offers, avoid sharing personal information with unknown entities, conduct transactions in public open areas, and report suspicious activities to the nearest police station immediately. Help us by staying vigilant, staying informed, and remembering to always put your safety first