Seattle police said on Thursday that they are investigating a series of armed robberies involving OfferUp meetups.
OfferUp is an online marketplace that allows people to connect and buy or sell everything from cars, trucks, electronics, and more with an emphasis on in-person transactions.
According to the Seattle Police Department, three people reported being robbed at gunpoint in June while either trying to buy or sell a vehicle through OfferUp.
In one case, three men robbed a man and a woman at gunpoint on June 14 in the 1100 block of Southwest Webster Street after meeting with the victims, supposedly to sell them a vehicle, authorities said.
A laptop and a purse were reportedly stolen from the victims, and two shots were fired by the suspects just before they fled the scene.
No one was injured during that meeting.
On June 24, police found a man at 12th Avenue and Corson Street who had been pistol-whipped and robbed after he attempted to sell his motorcycle during the OfferUp meetup.
The suspects took the man’s wallet and keys but left his motorcycle, police said.
And in recent days, police stated that a man reported being robbed on June 2, in the 6500 block of 30th Avenue Southwest after he came to meet another man who supposedly was selling a car. In that meetup, the suspect pulled out a gun and threatened to shoot the victim, and also demanded cash.
The public is being warned by law enforcement to take caution when meeting buyers and sellers met through an online transaction or connection.
The Seattle Police Department stated its South, Southwest and North precincts have publicly accessible parking lots available for safe meetups.
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