Canberra man accused of strangling seller during Facebook Marketplace deal

Police say a man was threatened with a knife and forced into a car by a 21-year-old who claimed to be interested in purchasing his mobile phone.

ACT Policing said the victim had arranged to sell the phone through Facebook Marketplace and went to an address in Kaleen to meet the buyer about 5:30pm on Tuesday.

Police alleged an unknown man spoke to the victim and examined the phone before the 21-year-old got out of a nearby Volkswagen Golf and threatened the victim with a knife.

The younger man then allegedly forced the victim into the car, where he also allegedly punched and strangled him.

The victim escaped and called for help before the Golf was driven away.

Police found the vehicle in Belconnen about 5:30pm on Thursday and directed the driver to stop; officers then identified the driver as the man allegedly involved in Tuesday's incident and arrested him.

Police said he would face the ACT Magistrates Court on Friday, charged with forcible confinement, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, possessing an offensive weapon with intent, and committing an act that endangers health by strangling.