Facebook Marketplace buyer sexually assaulted seller in her home

Wednesday, 15 July 2026

Murtaza Bostani was convicted of indecent assault after a judge found he sexually assaulted a woman while viewing items she was selling on Facebook Marketplace.

The woman used her phone to record Bostani as he fled her Auckland home after she yelled at him.

After being found guilty in the District Court, the High Court dismissed Bostani’s appeal, finding his version of events was “highly implausible” and upholding the conviction.

Warning: This article includes details that some readers may find distressing.

A woman selling items on Facebook Marketplace was sexually assaulted in her home by a man who said he wanted to buy one of them, a judge has found.

The woman sold some gym wrist bands to Murtaza Bostani.

According to court documents, Bostani went to her home in Mt Eden, Auckland, and viewed the wrist bands outside. They spoke and he went inside to look at other items listed on Marketplace, including a fridge and mirror.

While inside, Bostani asked the woman if she had any other items for sale. She said she had some clothing for sale, including bikinis.

Bostani then asked the woman what size she was.

She said, “What?” and he said, “Yes, your tits”.

Bostani grabbed her breasts for a few seconds, prompting the woman to yell at him.

He then fled, running down a staircase and into his car.

The woman used her phone to record him fleeing as she yelled at him.

As he got into his car the woman screamed “You f…ing pervert”.

Bostani was charged with indecent assault. He pleaded not guilty and stood in a judge-alone-trial at Auckland District Court in March.

Bostani denied touching the woman and said he was chased from the property because the woman was upset he declined to buy the wrist bands.

Detective Toni Jordan told the court she had prepared a photo lineup and put this to the woman to see if she could identify her assailant.

Jordan said when the woman saw the photo of Bostani she began to hyperventilate and cry but was able to identify him immediately.

She described the woman’s reaction as “visceral”.

Judge Peter Winter accepted the woman’s evidence and did not accept Bostani’s.

Bostani was found guilty and sentenced to one year and two months of intensive supervision and 150 hours of community work.

He was also ordered to pay the woman $2000 reparation.

Bostani appealed the decision to the High Court claiming a miscarriage of justice because Judge Winter had not explained why he preferred the woman’s evidence over his.

Justice Greg Blanchard agreed that Judge Winter could have provided more reasoning in his decision, but said he had not erred in his finding. He said Bostani’s explanation for what occurred had been “highly implausible”.

Sean Lyons, chief online safety officer at Netsafe, would not discuss the specifics of this case, but said “we are unfortunately familiar with a number of [similar] cases over the years where people have reported to us a range of things that have gone wrong”.

He said it was “very important not to walk down the victim-blaming pathway” when discussing these cases, and to realise they were crimes.

Lyons said a good first piece of advice for people using sites like Facebook Marketplace was to arrange an exchange in a very public space.

If they had to meet a buyer at home, they should try to make the appointment in daytime and when other people were around, he said.

“If someone puts pressure on you to do something at a time where you can’t fulfil those two things to maintain your safety, stand firm, feel free to say no, don’t feel pressurised,” Lyons said.

Where to get help:

• Rape Crisis 0800 88 33 00, click link for local helplines.

• Victim Support 0800 842 846.

• Safetalk text 4334, phone 0800 044 334 webchat safetotalk.nz or email support@safetotalk.nz.

• The Harbour Online support and information for people affected by sexual abuse.

• Women’s Refuge 0800 733 843

• Male Survivors Aotearoa Helplines across NZ, click to find out more (males only).

• If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 111.

• If you or someone you know is in a dangerous situation, click the Shielded icon at the bottom of this website to contact Women's Refuge in a safe and anonymous way without it being traced in your browser history. If you're in our app, visit the mobile website here to access Shielded.