Woman Drives to a Stranger’s House in the Woods for a Facebook Marketplace Order. Then the Man Asks Her To Come Inside: ‘A Weird Fetish Thing’
More than what she bargained for.
A woman’s Facebook Marketplace sale turned into a nightmare when the buyer – who she says gave her Slender Man vibes – tried to lure her inside his secluded house in the woods. Leara Aliza, who goes by @leara.alizaa on TikTok to her 20,000 followers, shared the unsettling encounter in a video that’s now sparking conversations about safety, trust, and the risks of such transactions.
Aliza’s story starts like many others. She was selling a box of women’s clothes, mostly swimsuits, undergarments, and socks, to make some extra cash after the pandemic left her strapped for money. Within minutes of posting the listing, she got a message from someone who appeared to be a 50- or 60-year-old woman interested in buying the whole box for herself and her granddaughter.
They arranged to meet the next day, but things took a bizarre turn when a man messaged her instead. He claimed he was the same buyer using a different account. Shocked, Aliza wondered why a man would want to buy a box of women’s clothes. She reasoned that it was probably a weird fetish. Against her better judgment, she agreed to adjust the meeting time.
Then came the red flags
The man asked if she could deliver the box directly to his house, offering an extra $100 for the inconvenience. “All I hear is extra hundred bucks,” Aliza said in her video. “I’m like, say less. I will be there.” She drove to the address he provided, which turned out to be deep in the woods, where cell service was spotty and the only signs of life were a few trailers and shacks.
When she arrived, the man – who she described as “the tallest man I’ve ever seen,” with a gaunt face, patchy hair, and an unsettling presence – asked her to come inside. Her gut screamed no. “If you go in the house, you’re not making it out of here alive,” she recalled thinking.
Aliza’s instincts kicked in. She lied, telling him she had to get to work and that people were waiting for her. The man pressed her again, asking if she’d follow him inside to help put the items away. She refused, handed over the box, took the money, and left as quickly as she could. Later, she texted someone she knew in the area to ask about the man. The response? “He’s just weird.” No reports of violence, but enough to make her realize how close she’d come to danger.
The story isn’t an isolated incident
According to WPIX New York, the police recently announced they were looking for a man who robbed three Facebook Marketplace sellers at meetup locations. Between May 13 and May 31, the suspect allegedly agreed to buy items – a pair of sneakers, a watch, and a Nintendo Switch – only to steal them instead, once at gunpoint. All three victims were men in their 20s, and while no one was hurt, the incidents highlight the very real risks of meeting strangers for transactions.
Aliza’s video taps into a growing unease about online marketplaces, where convenience often collides with real-world dangers. Facebook Marketplace remains one of the most popular platforms for buying and selling secondhand goods, but stories like hers serve as a stark reminder that not every deal is as straightforward as it seems.
The platform doesn’t require identity verification, and scammers, thieves, and worse can hide behind fake profiles or burner accounts. In Aliza’s case, the man used multiple accounts, one of which had been banned, making it harder to track his intentions.
Aliza’s experience is relatable for many reasons
Aliza admits she ignored her gut for the sake of a quick sale, something many people have done when money is tight. “I’m usually such a people pleaser that I would have just said yes,” she said. But this time, her survival instincts overrode her desire to be accommodating. Her video serves as a cautionary tale.
It is always advisable to meet in public places, bring a friend, or use designated “safe exchange zones” often set up by local police departments. And if something feels off, walk away. The rise of true-crime content and viral safety warnings has made people more aware of these risks, but it hasn’t eliminated them. Aliza’s experience is a reminder that even seemingly harmless transactions can take a dark turn.
For now, Aliza’s video is circulating widely, with viewers praising her for speaking up and sharing their own close calls. Some commenters admitted they’d made similar mistakes, while others shared tips for safer transactions.
(Featured images: Leara Aliza @leara-alizaa on TikTok)
Have a tip we should know? [email protected]
Follow The Mary Sue:
