32-year-old Maryland man defrauds Upper Gwynedd resident of $2,500 via Facebook Marketplace PS5 scam and Venmo payments

Summary

A Maryland man allegedly kept $2,500 from a Facebook Marketplace PS5 scam involving an Upper Gwynedd resident. Christopher Bijan Shahsavar, 32, of Silver Spring, MD, accepted two payments from the victim for a PlayStation 5 Pro listed on Facebook Marketplace and then blocked the victim on social media and Venmo. The victim sent $1,250 on September 27, 2024, and another $1,250 on October 24, 2024, via Venmo to an account linked to Shahsavar. Shahsavar was charged with felony counts including dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity, theft, theft by deception, and receiving stolen property. On February 17, 2025, Shahsavar allegedly confessed to the theft and admitted he had no intention of delivering the product. He is free on $10,000 unsecured bail, with a preliminary hearing scheduled for February 27, 2025.