Gwinnett County Police offering designated parking for E-Commerce transactions to keep sellers, buyers safe

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA– The Gwinnett County Police Department is urging the public to utilize dedicated parking spaces at each precinct and its headquarters for E-Commerce transactions. E-Commerce Exchange parking signs have been erected for the public’s use.

The Police Department’s announcement comes after the arrest of a 20-year-old Snellville man who robbed a woman at her home during a transaction that began from an online marketplace advertisement.

Yosef Goulbourne handed the victim an unknown amount of fake money, grabbed the cell phone she was selling, and drove away from the scene at a high rate of speed. Utilizing Flock camera data, investigating officers located the suspect’s vehicle in an apartment complex parking lot. Following a traffic stop with the suspect, Yosef was taken into custody. The money recovered in the Jan. 20 incident was found to be motion picture money, investigators said.

Police are notifying the public that they may conduct online transactions more safely by going to police precinct.  In addition to having a designated parking area for these transactions, there is 24/7 video camera recording at designated Gwinnett County Police Department’s dedicated parking areas.

Though these designated parking areas are provided, buyers and sellers should still exercise best safety practices when engaging in buy-sell trade E-Commerce transactions, police said. Here are tips police are sharing:

 Don’t give out personal information

Communicate with the buyer or seller through the platform where the item is listed.

Be cautious of scams. You can find out more information about scams here.

Avoid giving out your phone number or email address.

Meet in a public place.

Rather than meeting at someone’s home, plan to meet in an area that has other people around.

 Meet during the day.

Opt for a well-lit and busy location such as a shopping center, grocery store parking lot, coffee shop, or a police department.

Don’t go alone.

Never engage in a buy-sell trade transaction by yourself. Take a spouse, friend, family member, or neighbor.

Don’t carry large amounts of cash. 

Rather than exchanging payment through cash, use an electronic payment instead.

Be wary of changing meeting locations.

Scammers will often have a good excuse to change the meeting location. This should be a red flag. Tell the buyer or seller upfront that you will not allow changes to the meeting location.

 If it’s too good to be true, it probably is.

Everyone loves a good deal, but if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Scammers often lure you in with promises of a good profit or quick transaction without selling an item. Don’t be afraid to walk away from the transaction.

When in doubt, don’t schedule the transaction.

Your safety is more important than the promise of a good deal or quick cash in your pocket.

Photo above: Yosef Goulborne, 20, of Snellville, GA, was charged with Armed Robbery, Robbery, Aggravated Assault, and other crimes. Photos via Gwinnett County Police Department.