Leeton woman issues warning after $250 rip-off by online Wagga 'butcher'

The Facebook page appears to have used images from an Australian Meat Industry Council competition involving students from TAFE SA. Photo: Facebook.

A Leeton woman has issued a warning on social media after being left out of pocket following a purchase from a ”butcher” online.

Amie Fazekas was looking for a lamb cut and reached out to a Facebook page advertising fresh meat for sale and offering delivery to her area.

The ”butcher” appeared to be a new up-and-comer in the region providing rare deals on unique cuts of meat, which seemed too good to be true.

The Facebook profile requested that Ms Fazekas pay $250 for the lamb and delivery from Wagga to Leeton, which she agreed to do. However, she became suspicious when the profile asked for a second payment.

“I feel like an absolute goose,” Ms Fazekas said.

“They were advertising on the Wagga buy, swap and sell and I thought they were genuine.

“It wasn’t until they asked me for more money that I was like, ‘I’m not paying you anymore’ and then they blocked me.

“After I paid it, I actually told my husband behind my back that I was pretty sure I had just been scammed.

“I’m normally pretty clued on to all of that, so I feel quite silly falling for it.”

Screenshots of the conversation between Amie and the scammers. Photos: Supplied.

Ms Fazekas said by posting the messages she exchanged with the fake butcher on Facebook, she hoped to warn others about how easy it is to fall into the traps laid by profiles that may not be genuine.

“I didn’t put it up for notoriety or sympathy or anything,” she said. ”I just wanted to let others know. They’ve added themselves to groups in the last couple of days and if you look them up, you can see they’re quite new.

“When I sent the screenshot proving that I sent the money, I made sure to block out all my details.

“I looked up the BSB and found that it belonged to an account from Bendigo Bank. They said the best-case scenario is they can deactivate the account and prevent them from accessing the funds.”

Region investigated the account and found it appeared to have taken images from a TAFE SA butchery competition involving the Australian Meat Industry Council.

We messaged the Facebook account that offered to sell the meat to Ms Fazekas to ask for an explanation, but were blocked instantly.

Fortunately for Ms Fazekas, there was some good to come from the situation, with another member of the page she posted the screenshots to offering her a tray of lamb.

“I told the lady that offered the lamb that I can’t take it for free,” Ms Fazekas said.

“Luckily, my husband works at an abattoir so we offered a box of beef in exchange.

“It was kind of funny, though. I actually looked her up first to make sure she was real too. I’ve learnt my lesson.

“I messaged some of my friends and found out she’s legit, so we will organise that trade soon.”

Region informed Wagga police about the incident. An officer said they had not received a complaint about the ”butcher”.