Rochester man out $400 after selling item online

(ABC 6 News) – A Rochester man is out $400 after being scammed by someone buying an item he had listed online.

The Rochester Police Department said a 63-year-old man and his wife listed an item for sale on Facebook Marketplace. On March 14 someone had reached out and was interested in buying the item and would use Zelle to make the payment.

Police said they exchanged emails so the payment could be made. The 63-year-old then received an email that appeared to be from Zelle telling him the buyer would need to send an additional $400 in order to upgrade the seller’s account to a business account. The man would then reimburse the buyer.

The 63-year-old received another email appearing to be from Zelle saying the seller had sent the money so the man sent the reimbursement of $400.

Police said the man never received payment for the item he was selling and is out $400.

The police department said it is beginning to see this type of scam pop up more in Rochester and Olmsted County.