Craigslist robbery scam shows growing problem

Sometimes, the victim posts something for sale on the website, and a suspect responds with the intention of robbing the seller when they meet.

In other cases, a suspect will post an ad and make arrangements to meet a buyer, but instead robs the person of the money they’d planned to use to purchase the item.

“They’re baiting them with the likelihood of getting a set amount of money,” Smathers said.

The items involved in Craigslist transactions-gone-bad are usually electronics, Smathers said.

But when vehicles are used as bait, the suspect may be able to rob someone of thousands of dollars.

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2012/04/06/3154591/4-arrested-after-robbery-in-craigslist.html