25 days ago

Scam alert

The Team from Canterbury Police

Christchurch Police are urging people to be cautious when it comes to buying goods listed for sale on social media/marketplace.

Police are investigating several recent reports of people being threatened or assaulted and money and possessions taken from them, when they’ve met with people posing as sellers of goods on social media. In an online environment, it can be difficult to verify the person you are dealing with has good intentions.

Police urge anyone buying/selling on these platforms to exercise caution and if you do experience aggressive behaviour, report it to Police.

Here are a number of suggestions to keep yourself safe:
- First and foremost, we recommend using a reputable online site to buy or sell items.
- If the trader insists on meeting at an unusual location to make a sale, be cautious. It may be that they are selling stolen items or don't want to be identified for some other reason.
- Equally, if purchasers are reluctant to meet in person or insist items are dropped off at a location, they may be avoiding being seen or identified.
- If you’re meeting in person, make sure you’re meeting in a public place and away from any alleyways or side streets where someone could quickly disappear into and don’t go alone.
- Check the social media profile of the seller. Is it a new profile or relatively blank? There's a chance it may be a fake profile, and are sometimes deleted after you’ve paid.
- If you are the seller, make sure the money is in your account before sending or handing off items.
- As the saying goes: if it is too good to be true, it probably is.

If you wish to report a scam, call 105, or report it with us online at www.police.govt.nz...

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1 day ago

Casey

The Team from Humans of Christchurch Ōtautahi

“I wasn't aware of it when I was going through it, or growing up in that environment, you just think it's your normal until you get out of it. Narcissistic abuse. Have you heard of it?

I was the black sheep. I left home real young, like, 17. I went to the Salvation Army, I was homeless. I went back to my parents thinking they'd changed, or, I don't know, something will be different, but it just wasn't. I had to come to terms with reality. Now I'm estranged, I'm doing my own thing. I've had no contact in ages, it is what it is.

I'm trying to get the skills, I want to pursue music as a full time job. Even if it just pays for the basics. That's what I really want to do with my life, I need to do it, it feeds my spirit.

I learned bass guitar, electric guitar. I learned how to rap, sing and a bit of metal growl. So like, you know, the heavy vocals. It's like an outlet, if I'm going through some real heavy duty stuff, I can just fall back on the music. I always feel better.

I saw someone had an advertisement for a band, so I got their number, gave them a ring. You never know what might happen. I used to be so insecure and shy, I hid away on purpose. But these days I want to be an open book, I'm more confident in my own skin.

I might be going back to the Salvation Army. It's better than being on the streets in the elements, cold, freezing. Yeah, you get a roof over your head three meals a day. It's better than being stranded.

I was born in Christchurch, been here my whole life. I also like getting out into nature. If I had money, I'd be a nomad, just travelling with a backpack. I do like it here, but it would be a good change to see the world. Yes, this is just a tiny little island, it's a big world out there.”

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