A man identified as Messiah Bethea has been charged after allegedly scamming a resident out of nearly $10,000 worth of silver through a fraudulent deal arranged on Facebook Marketplace.
Authorities from the Ontario County Sheriff’s Office said the incident took place in a parking lot in the Town of Phelps. Investigators claim Bethea posed as a seller online and arranged a trade involving gold in exchange for silver.
During the meetup, Bethea allegedly handed over what was later determined to be counterfeit gold while taking possession of silver valued at approximately $10,000.
Following an investigation, Bethea was taken into custody and later arrested at the Ontario County Jail. He now faces a felony charge of third-degree grand larceny.
Bethea was arraigned in court and ordered to remain in custody without bail as the case proceeds.
David Cirencione, the Ontario County Sheriff, warned residents to exercise caution when using online marketplaces. Officials recommend verifying identities, confirming the authenticity of items, and taking added safety measures when meeting unfamiliar individuals.
The investigation is still ongoing.
