Man charged in alleged Facebook Marketplace scam

Florian Dinca, 44, is facing a fraud charge. Toronto Police.

By Michael Talbot

Posted April 11, 2024 6:14 pm.

Toronto police allege a man combined online commerce with sleight of hand to pull off a scam on an unsuspecting Facebook Marketplace seller.

Investigators say the suspect posed as a buyer on Marketplace using the alias Danny, messaging a seller and expressing interest in purchasing several items posted for sale.

The suspect and the seller arranged to meet at a location.

The suspect arrived in a surgical mask and handed the victim an envelope containing cash for the items.

Florian Dinca, 44, is facing a fraud charge. Toronto Police

But at some point police allege the suspect switched the envelope with another one that contained only paper, leaving before the seller realized a switch had taken place.

Florian Dinca, 44, of no fixed address, was arrested and is now facing a single count of fraud over $5,000.

Keep it Factual

Add CityNews Toronto as a trusted source on Google to see more local stories from us.

Submit a Correction

Accessibility Feedback

Top Stories

LeBlanc 'very confident' of new deal after meeting with U.S. trade counterpart Greer

Dominic LeBlanc, the Canadian minister responsible for trade with the United States, emerged “very confident” on Wednesday from his meeting with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, who stated that an agreement had been reached.

Just now

Body of missing pilot found among plane debris in Kawartha Lakes

Provincial police say a pilot reported missing after taking off in a home-built plane from Oshawa last week has been found dead. The 73-year-old was reported missing by family members after the plane...

9m ago

Person seeking online date extorted out of $6K in Brampton: Peel police

Police in Peel Region are urging potential victims of an online dating extortion scheme to come forward after a victim was allegedly extorted out of $6,000 during a meet-up in Brampton. Investigators...

2h ago

Resident charged after firing gun during attempted vehicle theft in Scarborough: police

Toronto police have charged a resident after a firearm was discharged during an attempted vehicle theft in a Scarborough neighbourhood early Wednesday morning, leaving a nearby home damaged by gunfire. Officers...

3h ago

Top Stories

LeBlanc 'very confident' of new deal after meeting with U.S. trade counterpart Greer

Dominic LeBlanc, the Canadian minister responsible for trade with the United States, emerged “very confident” on Wednesday from his meeting with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, who stated that an agreement had been reached.

Just now

Body of missing pilot found among plane debris in Kawartha Lakes

Provincial police say a pilot reported missing after taking off in a home-built plane from Oshawa last week has been found dead. The 73-year-old was reported missing by family members after the plane...

9m ago

Person seeking online date extorted out of $6K in Brampton: Peel police

Police in Peel Region are urging potential victims of an online dating extortion scheme to come forward after a victim was allegedly extorted out of $6,000 during a meet-up in Brampton. Investigators...

2h ago

Resident charged after firing gun during attempted vehicle theft in Scarborough: police

Toronto police have charged a resident after a firearm was discharged during an attempted vehicle theft in a Scarborough neighbourhood early Wednesday morning, leaving a nearby home damaged by gunfire. Officers...

3h ago

Most Watched Today

2:51

Trump delays 50% tariffs for now but businesses remain on edge

While Trump's new 50 per cent tariffs are being delayed for three days, Canadian business owners are left holding their breaths on what's to come.

5h ago

0:31

Remains of third missing man found on Smiths Falls property

The remains of another missing man from the Smiths Falls area were found on a rural property near the town last week, provincial police confirmed in a release.

5h ago

2:21

Caitlin Clark’s Toronto debut ends in Fever win over Tempo

Caitlin Clark scored 24 points as the Indiana Fever beat the Toronto Tempo 101-95 in front of a sold-out crowd at Scotiabank Arena. Despite the loss, Toronto made it tough in a game that marked Clark’s first game in Canada. Catalina Gillies reports.

14h ago

2:52

Thunderstorms expected tonight, sun to end the week

Thunderstorms are expected overnight to continue through the morning hours on Wednesday with sun forecast for the rest of the week. Meteorologist Natasha Ramsahai has your forecast.

19h ago

5:02

Canadian businesses want a good trade deal but not at any cost: CFIB economist

Chief Economist and VP of Research at the CFIB Simon Gaudreault provides a pulse check on Canadian businesses as the deadline looms for potentially 50 per cent tariffs on a variety of goods worth $28 billion.

August 18, 2026 1:14 pm EST EST