An 18-year-old man from New Jersey has been arrested for robbing buyers on Facebook Marketplace who responded to his ads for video game consoles. Yassine G. Rahi was charged with a hit-and-run on March 20 that left a 22-year-old victim with serious bodily injury. Instead of handing over the PlayStation 5 as advertised, Rahi allegedly stole $275 from the victim and fled the scene. The Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office found similar incidents in northern New Jersey involving a fake seller luring PlayStation buyers, with Rahi identified as the suspect through an investigation.
Rahi was also linked to a similar incident in Guttenberg, New Jersey on March 26. Local and county authorities arrested him in Bayonne on April 4 and charged him with first-degree robbery, second-degree aggravated assault, third-degree leaving the scene of an accident resulting in serious bodily injury, fourth-degree theft, and other offenses. He is currently in Bergen County Jail awaiting a detention hearing. The Bergen County Prosecutor, Mark Musella, urged caution when buying or selling goods online, advising people to meet in safe exchange spots such as their local police department, and never meet a stranger alone.
Musella emphasized the importance of being vigilant when using online platforms to buy and sell property, as they can be exploited by dishonest individuals like Rahi. He advised meeting in public, well-lit areas and never meeting strangers alone, adding that one should trust their instincts if something feels off or too good to be true. Rahi’s arrest highlights the risks associated with online transactions and the need for caution when dealing with unknown individuals. Authorities in northern New Jersey were able to apprehend Rahi through a coordinated effort to investigate and identify the patterns in his criminal activities.
The investigation found that Rahi used fictitious Facebook accounts to lure buyers to specific locations, where he would steal their cash and flee the scene. The hit-and-run incident in Moonachie on March 20 resulted in serious injuries to one victim, prompting the prosecutor’s office to pursue charges of robbery, assault, leaving the scene of an accident, and theft against Rahi. The link between multiple incidents in different towns helped authorities track down and arrest Rahi, highlighting the importance of collaboration between local and county law enforcement agencies in apprehending criminals involved in similar scams.
Rahi’s case serves as a cautionary tale for both buyers and sellers engaging in online transactions, reminding them to exercise caution and prioritize safety when meeting strangers for transactions. Musella’s warning underscores the potential dangers of online platforms being exploited by individuals like Rahi, who use deception to commit crimes. The arrest also showcases the effectiveness of investigatory efforts by law enforcement in identifying and apprehending suspects involved in fraudulent activities, ultimately holding them accountable for their crimes. As Rahi awaits his detention hearing, the community is reminded of the importance of vigilance and safety measures when conducting transactions online to avoid falling victim to scams or criminal activities.
