On Thursday, the Ras Abidah Police Station in Libya managed to arrest a couple for an elaborate scam that defrauded a man out of 15,000 Libyan dinars. The couple posed as a prospective bride and her father to deceive the victim.
The scam began when the victim met the woman on Facebook. She claimed to be single and persuaded him to visit her father to discuss marriage. In reality, her “father” was her husband. The couple rented an apartment in the Sidi Hussein area to lure the victim.
The victim visited the apartment and met with the woman’s supposed father. After the formal meeting, he took the woman and her “father” to buy gold jewelry and paid 15,000 Libyan dinars as a dowry. The following day, the couple turned off their phones and disappeared.
Realizing he had been scammed, the victim filed a complaint at the Ras Aabida Police Station. The head of the station ordered an investigation, and the police quickly tracked down and arrested the couple. During questioning, they confessed to the crime and were referred to the Public Prosecution.
This incident highlights the risks of online interactions and the importance of verifying personal information, especially in a country like Libya, which faces challenges in maintaining law and order due to political instability and conflict.
The swift response by the Ras Aabida Police Station demonstrates the importance of community trust in law enforcement. By quickly launching an investigation and apprehending the suspects, the police provided justice for the victim and sent a strong message that such criminal behavior would not be tolerated.