Warning over deadly Facebook Marketplace trend after dog 'savagely' slain

Experts in cybersecurity are warning users of Facebook Marketplace to be diligent when selling items to random people amid claims attacks linked to the website are becoming a “trend”.

Emergency services were called to a home in Forest Lake in Brisbane’s western suburbs about 5pm on Sunday following reports a group of men had allegedly confronted the property’s residents.

Detective Superintendent Andrew Massingham told The Courier-Mail police allege two men had gone to the home to buy an e-scooter for $2000 using counterfeit money.

When the people at the home realised the money was allegedly fake, an altercation broke out and the two men left without the scooter.

“Several hours later – about 5pm – they (the two men) returned with reinforcements,” he said.

“Four of them scaled the rear fence … they demanded that the scooter be produced and started smashing the rear glass doors of the property to try to entice the victims to come outside.

“When that did not occur, they allegedly stabbed a dog at the premises in an attempt to entice the owners into the backyard.

“The victims have then exited the residence, a struggle has taken place in the backyard and a 33-year-old man has received knife wounds to his arms.

“A second victim, a 30-year-old man, has been stabbed in the back and abdomen by the offenders.

“A third man, who is 20 years of age, received minor injuries.”

Superintendent Massingham said one of the men was allegedly armed with a black handgun later determined to be a gel blaster, with the others brandishing knives and a machete.

In response, the residents also armed themselves with shovels and attacked the intruders who were injured in the scuffle, police said.

Following the alleged attack, police located a 24-year-old Goodna man, a 21-year-old Redbank man, and a 20-year-old Darra man nearby to the home.

Neighbour James O’Sullivan told Nine News of the shocking moment he discovered the third man arrested by police in his own backyard.

“I thought he was intoxicated, but then it became apparent that he had quite a bad head injury,” Mr O’Sullivan said.

Mr O’Sullivan describe the incident next-door as “terrible, stating: “What‘s the point in stabbing a dog? Man’s best friend”.

Superintendent Massingham likewise described the alleged attack as “savage” and the alleged stabbing of the dog as “barbaric”.

The 24-year-old was charged with two counts of wounding, serious animal cruelty, threatening violence, and attempting to enter a dwelling with intent.

The other two men remained in hospital on Monday.

“One (the 21-year-old man) has a fractured cheekbone and has significant leg and head injuries,” Superintendent Massingham said.

“The 20-year-old Darra man has serious lacerations to the head near the eye socket and serious injuries to the rear of his skull.”

Superintendent Massingham said the duo would be charged once they recovered.

He alleged the offenders were “well known” to police and that two of the men were on bail at the time of the incident.

Superintendent Massingham warned that attacks on people selling items online was increasing.

“We are seeing instances of it regularly in the South Brisbane district,” he said.

“I know the southeastern region in and around Ipswich has also seen an increase in this type of offending.”.

Superintendent Massingham said there were now several instances per week relating to people being attacked after advertising items online for sale.

Cybersecurity expert Susan McLean told the Today show on Tuesday buyers on Facebook Marketplace had to be wary as some items are likely to attract criminals.

“We know Facebook Marketplace and other online platforms do attract nefarious criminals,” she said.

“That’s just the way it is, (so) you’ve got to be mindful of the fact you are inviting a random stranger of whom you know nothing about often into your house.

“People are unfortunately too trusting. You can‘t be if you’re going to use online marketplaces.”

Ms McLean urged buyers and sellers to do their research and take precautions, including arranging transactions take place in public, including in front of CCTV.

“If someone is going to come along to your house to allegedly purchase something, check them out online, see what you can find, run their name through Google,” she said.

“If they‘ve gut a social media profile with no followers, no friends and no comments, that is a dead give away they’re dodgy.”

Former Queensland Police superintendent Jim Keogh told the same show on Tuesday attacks like that which allegedly occurred on Sunday were “becoming a trend”.

“The moral of the story about advertising on social media and giving your home address: not a good idea,” she said.