San Diego police received a tip recently about a stolen trailer listed for sale on Facebook Marketplace. That tip led to an hourlong SWAT raid and the discovery of four more stolen trailers, with five suspects arrested.
"Obviously, no one wants this in their community — especially if it’s a chop shop or an active criminal organization that’s going on,” San Diego Police Department Northeastern Division Capt. Michael Ramsay told NBC 7 San Diego.
“So yes, we had something weird take place, so we are going to use our search warrants, our SWAT teams to handle these types of issues."
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This case reflects a much bigger problem, with an estimated $500 billion in stolen or counterfeit goods sold online worldwide each year.
Fortunately, there are ways to help protect yourself when shopping online platforms like Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist and eBay.
From online listing to police raid
San Diego police said they received a report of a stolen trailer: After discovering his trailer missing from a storage locker, the owner spotted it for sale on Facebook Marketplace in the Mira Mesa neighborhood.
After officers arrived at the home in question, one person, who had been inside a different trailer also reported stolen, was taken into custody. But police quickly realized more people were hiding in the home, and when they wouldn’t come out, SWAT was called in.
"We heard bang-bang-bang-bang, 5 shots … and everybody here didn’t even know what was going on," one neighbor told NBC 7.
Police told reporters that what neighbors heard were flashbangs, deployed to warn occupants to exit their home.
The operation led to the arrest of a woman and three other men. By the end of their search, police say they recovered five stolen trailers on the property, as well as a firearm found inside one of the trailers.
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The growing problem of online stolen goods
According to the National Retail Federation, retailers reported a 93% increase in the average number of shoplifting incidents between 2019 and 2023. Many of these items make their way to online marketplaces, where they are sold to unsuspecting buyers.
To combat this growing issue, both federal and state governments are implementing stricter regulations for online marketplaces.
The INFORM Consumers Act, signed into law in 2022, requires online marketplaces to verify the identity of high-volume sellers, those with 200-plus transactions or $5,000 or more in revenue within one year. The law also mandates that marketplaces provide consumers with ways to report suspicious activity.
At the state level, California has introduced additional measures that aim to close any loopholes that allow sellers to avoid verification procedures by advertising through online marketplaces, but completing transactions offline.
How to protect yourself from buying stolen goods online
Major online platforms have policies prohibiting the sale of stolen goods. Facebook Marketplace, for example, explicitly forbids selling stolen items, but it can still happen — that’s where the owner who provided the tip to San Diego police first spotted his stolen trailer.
Facebook recommends that users report suspicious listings and contact local law enforcement if they believe an item is stolen. Craigslist and eBay have similar policies in place.
However, the responsibility ultimately falls on buyers to exercise caution. Here are some steps you can take to help avoid purchasing something stolen:
1. Be skeptical of prices that seem too good to be true
Significantly underpriced items can indicate something isn’t quite right.
2. Check for documentation
Ask for receipts, serial numbers or other proof of ownership before you meet the seller, especially for expensive items.
3. Meet sellers in public places
Many police stations have safe exchange areas for buyers and sellers to meet up. If a seller insists you come to their location, consider it a possible red flag — they may have something to hide.
4. Be wary of sellers with multiple similar items
Someone selling numerous bikes, power tools or electronics might be offloading stolen merchandise.
5. Watch for the bait and switch
If the seller shows you photos of one item but presents something different when you meet, walk away.
By remaining vigilant and following these tips, you can help reduce the risk of inadvertently purchasing stolen goods.
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This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
