Manchester robbers exploited Facebook Marketplace to target e-bike sellers in a series of carefully planned attacks, culminating in convictions announced today. The pair preyed on individuals attempting to buy and sell bicycles online, using the platform to lure victims into compromising situations before robbing them at knifepoint.
On January 20, 2025, one victim advertised an e-bike for £550 on Facebook marketplace and noticed a similar bike being sold by a user named “Jacob Verona.” Proposing a trade plus £80, the victim arranged to meet the seller, bringing his father along for safety to Kingfisher Close. As the victim retrieved his bike from the car, two men – later identified as Jama and Ogbeide-John - approached and waited nearby.
Police reports indicate the defendants were observed communicating before confronting the victim and his father. One of the attackers demanded, ”Why are you up here?” When the victim attempted to deflect, Ogbeide-John grabbed the handlebars of the e-bike, threatening, “Give me the bike… I’m taking the bike either nicely or nastily.” When the father asserted ownership, Ogbeide-John escalated the threat, saying, “Do you want me to stab you?”
The victim, spotting what appeared to be a knife, signaled his father to relinquish the bike. Ogbeide-John was arrested on January 24th on suspicion of robbery, and Jama was detained two days later.
Detective Inspector mcdonald, speaking after the sentencing, described the attacks as “carefully planned” and condemned the perpetrators for exploiting the trust of innocent victims. “They trusted in goodwill and the actions that greeted them were truly appalling,” she stated. “The crimes were carried out purely for greed, they lured the victims in.” This case highlights the growing risk of online marketplaces being used to facilitate violent crime and serves as a warning to users to exercise extreme caution when arranging in-person meetings with strangers.
