Dunedin resident Ange Wylie wanted to get in early sourcing a lamb for Christmas.
When she saw what looked to be a popular New Zealand-based social media page offering whole lamb fresh from the paddock, she thought she had found the perfect solution.
Unfortunately, a few days and $260 later, Ms Wylie was still lambless.
"They’ve played me and there will be others they’ve played as well.
"The group is getting huge, even with people constantly being kicked out."
She initially messaged the seller for a lamb to be delivered the next day and the seller replied quickly quoting her $260.
In the morning, she realised she did not know where in the country the seller was, and she never told him where she was from.
"Can I please grab a time that delivery will happen this morning? Also you didn’t ask for a location. Do you know where I am?" she asked.
His Facebook page said he lived in Auckland, but when she asked, he said Christchurch — still a five-hour drive away for supposed delivery that morning.
He was going to leave to deliver the lamb by 9am, which turned into 2pm, and soon he was asking her to "please be patient" at 7.30pm.
Ms Wylie was still lambless, and when she asked for a refund, the previous messages mysteriously disappeared.
The Facebook page Beef and Lamb Supplies is run by a pair claiming to be Jessica Stanton and Makavelli Da Don.
The pair say they have a sheep and beef farm.
However, the location of this supposed farm was not clear — when someone inquired about it, they were asked to message them.
Their private social media page had 1000 members as of yesterday.
The group, which was started on October 13, gained and lost members quickly, Ms Wylie said.
Many get themselves kicked off for calling scam on the sellers.
"I’ve had a person from Tapanui contact me and I’ve had a girl up in Tauranga contact me who almost got ripped off."
When comparing scam stories, Ms Wylie and others started to piece together the seller was using different bank accounts.
"My main concern is the New Zealand public and someone falling for this.
"You never think you’re going to fall for a scam, but sometimes life gets busy and you let your guard down."
She reported the incident to the police, who confirmed they received the report.
A police spokesman said in Ms Wylie’s case, police did not investigate the case further but placed an alert on the bank account number and the case was filed.
"Should the account come to our notice in the future, depending on the circumstances, it is likely police will take action.
"So far, this is the only case linked to the bank account provided."
These types of scams were prevalent nationally.
The spokesman urged anyone who buys online to exercise caution and undertake due diligence.
"Only transfer funds to a source when you have carried out checks, including contacting your bank or the recipient’s bank to ensure account names match and that they are in New Zealand."
