Police charged a Springvale man over a social media sale that turned violent.
The Greater Dandenong CIU issued a warning about buying and selling online through social media following several robberies and attacks in recent months.
In this instance, officers said the 26-year-old Springvale man advertised an iPhone on Gumtree and organised to meet his prospective buyer at a reserve in Wisteria Place, Springvale South.
They met on the morning of Thursday 1 March and agreed on a $1200 sale price.
Police said the buyer handed over $550, inspected the phone to find it was not as advertised, handed it back and asked the seller to return his money.
The seller then allegedly produced a metal pole and assaulted the buyer before leaving with the phone and cash.
Police found the Springvale man a short time later and charged him with assault with a weapon, obtaining property by deception, intentionally causing injury, possessing a controlled weapon, theft and committing offences while on bail.
Officers urged social media shoppers and sellers to check any feedback against the seller or buyer, organise to meet in a public place covered by CCTV, and take someone with them.
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