Israeli police last week arrested an Arab resident of Ramallah suspected of defrauding 100 Israelis of a total of some 3 million shekels (~$950,000) by purchasing their products online and making it appear he had paid them.
A Special Operations Unit raided the suspect’s home and arrested him. The suspect’s detention has been extended until this Wednesday.
The Arab, in his 50s, is suspected of pretending to be an Israeli living in the country’s north, the police investigation revealed. He would contact his victims to purchase goods they posted on various online sites, including Yad2, a popular secondhand site that sells everything from home goods to health products.
The suspect would negotiate a price with the sellers and send a phony confirmation showing transfer of payment. He would then send a taxi to pick up the product from the victim’s home. The product would be transferred to another taxi in Samaria and eventually reach the seller in Ramallah, Ynet reported.
The suspect purchased laser hair removal machines and photography equipment, among other items.
By the time the victim learned that the money transfer confirmation was fake, it was too late.
The investigation showed that between 2024 and 2025, about 100 Israelis lodged complaints against the Ramallah resident.
