Thieves are posting fake advertisements on social media and police are warning citizens not to fall victim to them. Photo: Internet Source

Senior Superintendent of Southern Police Division Zamsheed Mohammed issue issued the warning on Thursday after several incidents involving criminals with fake ads were reported in the southern police division.

On Monday, two Couva men who were tricked by a fake advertisement were robbed of $5,000 and their cell phones. Ironically, that day was All Fools’ Day.

The victims - aged 21 and 27 - were robbed by thieves who pretended they had a Nissan Tiida for sale.

Around 6.15 p.m. the two victims went to London Street, La Romaine, where they were told they would meet someone to negotiate the sale of the car.

Instead they were greeted by two men armed with guns, who held them up and took $5,000 cash which was intended to be a down payment on the car, and their cellphones valued $2,800.

The thieves ran off and escaped with cash and cellphones.