Online shopping has skyrocketed in popularity, becoming a go-to for purchasing everything from home goods and clothing to groceries. This rise has also highlighted the appeal of buying secondhand items directly from sellers via platforms like OfferUp, eBay, and Facebook Marketplace. While these sites offer many advantages, they're not without their drawbacks. A woman in Australia is drawing attention to a particularly alarming issue on
Facebook Marketplace that's causing concern for women everywhere.
Dangers of Facebook Marketplace
Woman Alerts Others About Troubling New Trend On Facebook Marketplace During Clothes Sales Cheyenne Skye, a resident of Melbourne, Australia, recently issued a warning to women who use Facebook Marketplace, after an unsettling experience of her own. She was attempting to sell a pair of Doc Martens when she received a message from an individual who seemed less interested in buying the shoes and more in offering her money for objectionable acts.
Skye took to her TikTok channel to share the disturbing encounter with her followers. "Turns out you can sell your shoes on Marketplace without actually selling them, and still make money." She said. "This person messaged me saying 'Hey this might sound a little strange but if I paid you $50 on the spot would you be able to meet up at a park or something and let me lick the soles of the boots? Totally weird but I will genuinely pay you for it."
Initially, Cheyenne Skye listed the shoes on Facebook Marketplace for $200, mentioning she was saving up for a nose job. She then noted that after ignoring an initial message, the man responded by lowering his offer to $100. "Exhibit two, 'It might be a little strange but may I lick your boots when you are wearing them?'" She continued.
Other Odd Requests
Woman Alerts Others About Troubling New Trend On Facebook Marketplace During Clothes Sales As the situation escalated, the man's requests became increasingly peculiar; he asked her to dirty the boots and lick them. This incident was not unique, as she also received an offer from another man wanting to pay for photos of her in a bodysuit.
These experiences are, regrettably, not uncommon on Facebook Marketplace, prompting Skye's followers to caution her about her safety.
Not an Isolated Occurrence
Another woman shared her own distressing experience on Skye's post, revealing that a man who came to pick up clothing she was selling also inquired about her intimate wear.
Additionally, a different woman described an encounter with a man fascinated by "zipper fetishes" while she was selling a pair of jeans. He expressed interest in buying all her jeans after asking about the zippers on them.
Apparently, he said, "Can you send me a pic of the zip on those if that's possible? I'm happy to pay what you want if you want more for them." She further explained that the man's interest was specifically in the letters stamped on the zipper of the jeans. "I'm guessing you're curious about why the zip, I hope there's no judgment. I love YKK zippers so much on women's jeans. I hope that's alright." He added.
Facebook Marketplace Scams
Woman Alerts Others About Troubling New Trend On Facebook Marketplace During Clothes Sales These types of stories are unsettling and, regrettably, all too common. Incidents range from men soliciting women for photos or used clothing to others using Facebook Marketplace as a platform to seek romantic encounters. Beyond these types of harassment, there are also serious crimes like theft and burglary. For instance, a woman in Texas had her Facebook account hacked, leading to weeks of turmoil. Scammers posted her address and advertised items for sale, demanding upfront payment. When buyers arrived at her home expecting to pick up items like a $300 couch they had paid for, confrontations ensued. The woman found herself in a perilous situation, forced to defend her home from understandably frustrated buyers. "That's what really scared me. They made a post. People were tagging me and saying, 'Oh yeah, we're going to get her,'" she recounted.
Experts have thus warned that Facebook Marketplace has become a "digital wild west." Since the inception of the internet, conspiracy theorists have cautioned about risks such as privacy breaches and physical safety threats. While the term "conspiracy" might carry certain connotations, it's both intriguing and somewhat frightening to see how predators and scammers continue to exploit online platforms, resulting in significant losses for average users, whether it be sleep, safety, or peace of mind.
