When a woman listed her high-end designer hand bag for sale on Facebook Marketplace she didn't know that a team of alleged scammers was planning an "elaborate" robbery.
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A 21-year-old woman contacted the seller about the handbag, worth thousands of dollars, and arranged to meet in Melbourne's Merri-Bek area in May, police said.
The buyer was handed the bag during their meet-up, and while she inspected it, a man approached and assaulted the 21-year-old before fleeing with the luxury handbag.
Police believe the would-be buyer and the alleged thief were working together to stage the robbery.
Investigators allege that the pair sold the bag and split the profit.
A 21-year-old Gladstone Park woman has been charged with perjury, theft and handling stolen goods.
A 28-year-old Broadmeadows man was charged with theft, handling stolen goods and obtaining property by deception.
The pair was bailed and is scheduled to appear before Broadmeadows Magistrates' Court on October 9.
Anna Houlahan
Reach out with news or updates to anna.houlahan@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Reach out with news or updates to anna.houlahan@austcommunitymedia.com.au
