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Craigs crime scene

PATRICK WHITE

From Thursday's Globe and Mail

Latest comment posted at 10:58 AM EDT 02/05/08

Craigslist is so clogged with scams – not to mention ads for child sex rings, hit men, prostitutes and calls to trash homes – that some users are logging off ...Read the full article

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  1. Joe Smith from Toronto, Canada writes: 'Caveat emptor' always applies. Craigslist is great for person-to-person, local sales of tangible objects where you can see before you buy. That's why Craigslist has local sites for major cities/regions, and the system works well (I've bought and sold dozens of items and found several apartments on Craigslist). If you want to mail someone a cheque to buy something sight unseen, why not just use Ebay?
  2. Sissy Schuss from Canada writes: some of these scams are pure genious!
  3. Adam G from Ottawa, Canada writes: I just think it's great that Love146 is so damn concerned about the evils of sexuality.

    'Yeah, umm, I know there have been murders related to use of Craigslist, but what concerns us are all those sinful orgasms!'

    Put your bible back in your pocket 13th disciple. Besides, don't you have to be somewhere to blame a heavy metal band for all that ills the world?
  4. jack Bauer from Canada writes: Adam your therapist called and your mommy issues will have to be put on hold until we deal with your anger issues....
  5. John Smith from Ottawa, Canada writes: Last week, a 49-year-old Michigan woman pleaded guilty to trying to hire a hit man on Craigslist to knock off her husband's mistress.

    In 1939, there was a pest exterminator in New York who took on the name Murder Inc., a catchy name in light of the investigations in the syndicate hit squad. Clever name. One day the manager received a phone call from a woman who wanted her husband removed. He played along, giving the police a lead to the woman's whereabouts. She was arrested and the exterminator changed the name of his company to something less witty. When asked how she found Murder Inc., the woman said that she looked in the phone book under M.

    This kind of thing has been going on long before Craigslist and long before the invention of the phone book. Ebay has had similar problems, selling slaves and human organs, as well as the occasional Thompson machine gun. And it passes. Joe Smith, you summed it up with the line caveat emptor. There will be problems, but the benefits are wonderful. By purchasing items on Craigslist and Kijiji, I have saved money and have also made friends!

    And yes, Sissy, some of the scams are pure genius. Some of the crazy things on Ebay are too. My all time favourite was the corn flake (one) starting at $10.00. Someone won it at $15.00!
  6. Lee Turner from Canada writes: So it seems that Craigslist has the same challenges as any other Classifieds website, or publication. Any given day there are hundreds of fradulent ads for puppies on Toronto Star's Classified sections, and there is nothing stopping anyone from posting bogus real estate ads either. Prostitution? Open up the back of the Toronto Sun, lots of escort and 'massage' services listed there.

    If something is too good to be true, it most often is.
  7. The Natrix from Toronto, Canada writes: The difference here is it is free, so you're going to have all the scum and scrubs being attracted to this, vs having to pay for posting a ad. I can definitely see how a woman, selling something can be a bit intimiated when a man comes around looking to buy it after reading about that microwave incident.

    But this is also the crazy U.S. that this story mainly focuses on. I'm sure stuff like that happens here in Canada, but likely alot less frequently and and severity. If that observation is incorrect, the sheer size of the U.S. population will make it seem so.
  8. Homer - from Canada writes: these types of frauds have been there for years.. its always buyer be aware..
    with internet its just volumes have increased adding complexity of geography...
    but as some poster said if its too good to be true, it most likely is.. Craigs list better for local trades.. i have had my friends buy / sale furniture on Craigs list w/out any problem.. as a buyer you've to be careful when u venture to seller's home or location.. take a friend with you just in case.. same for seller don't invite someone late.. don't give ur address on the list.. just give e-mail address and then talk on the phone.
    you can avoid a lot of frauds if you use common sense..
  9. Imperial K from Toronto, Canada writes: I would stick to selling all the stuff you don't need on it, and buying the same. Electronics etc., are pretty safe, sure you can't ensure it's not stolen I suppose, but ebay is no different.

    I would never hire or if i was girl work from craigslist as a babysitter, I mean you should only hire from immediate family friends that type of service.

    It does beat Ebay, whose fees make selling most things not really worth it. We sold 8 items, and the fees topped 16$ eating up just under half the profits of these little items.

    Again, good for electronics or computers etc., but leave it be for other crap..both ebay and craigslist
  10. Johnny LaRue from Second City, Canada writes: I like craigslist. I've been using it for years to sell my old stuff. It beats eBay because it's free and your buyers are local, so they can check out the item before they buy it and they don't have to pay for shipping.

    If you're a cretin, then people will rip you off, regardless of whether you're using an online service or doing it in person. Just look at the stock market these days.

    Craigslist is infinitely better than using a newspaper to sell your things, too. Your listing appear immediately and, did I mention, it's free.
  11. N. American from New York, United States writes: Anti-Craigslist reports published by a newspaper such as The Globe that is loosing THOUSANDS of dollars in classified advertising a day should be viewed as highly suspect.

    Craigslist is the first AND best place I look for almost any purchase or service. I have never been ripped off.
  12. Jim D from United States writes: I think that the TV ad about online scams described it pretty well. It showed some seedy looking individual on a bus, talking to a stranger about getting their hands on money from a rich person in Africa.

    The internet has provided easy access to normal folk for almost every sh*tbag in the western world. You know, the worthless trash that make up about 10% of our society. They come in all shapes, sizes and income levels, but have one thing in common. They are scum.

    Craigslist still has its legitimate ads, of course. But unfortunately, you have to apply the same scrutiny to each one that you would apply to someone hanging around a children's playground in a raincoat and socks on a sunny day.
  13. Proud to Be Canadian from Canada writes: I am a bit older so I can remember all most all these same things happening from Newspaper ads. The only one I am having difficulty would be the 'come take all my stuff' scam . But this sounds of more of a smear at craigslist from the ad department of the G&M then anything else . If you have half a brain you can spot the scams and avoid them .
    I have purchased a number of computers and cameras , furniture from craigslist and no matter how many Boogy-man stories the G&M run. I will still use it .
  14. Joe Smith from Toronto, Canada writes: Jim D says 'Craigslist still has its legitimate ads, of course.' I'm beginning to share the other posters' opinions that the G&M is out to smear Craigslist, because 99% of Craigslist is things like 'Solid oak TV stand with two shelves, great condition, $50. Pick up this weekend.' Nothing illegitimate about that.
  15. doug m from Canada writes: This article sounds like right wing American moralism. In Canada 'erotic services' and adult material are not illegal...so what's the problem? Pornography is defined by legislation, and other adult material is legal. Calling legal adult material porn is an attempt to impose one's personal tastes on everyone else. Grow up and stay out of my life. If you don't want to see those adds...don't click on them.
  16. Darren X3 from Toronto, Canada writes: North American: 'Anti-Craigslist reports published by a newspaper such as The Globe that is losing THOUSANDS of dollars in classified advertising a day should be viewed as highly suspect.'

    ================================================

    Bingo, and ditto for the comments about erotic services. Newsflash... it is NOT illegal to offer such services for sale in Canada.... my God, check the back of the Toronto NOW magazine, countless pages offering $80 BBBJs, etc. You get the picture.

    I found my apartment (a sublet) using Craigslist (after viewing, I went so far as to call the management company to make sure everything was on the up and up). Everything was fine and I'm now enjoying a wonderful apartment that I would not have found otherwise. Craigslist rules... just use your common sense!! (It's sad that people actually need to be told that).
  17. Ghetto Dude from Istanbul, Turkey writes: I have placed an 'apartment for rent' ad on Craigslist last year, here in Istanbul. Approximately 10 people contacted me, there was only one single decent looking email from the US and that ended up with no deal. The other international contacts were just prostitutes from Moldova (I saw the source via an IP check and from Moldova to Istanbul, one single sort of person comes) pretending to be writing from elsewhere. One of the mails sent from Moldova was saying she would be arriving from London the next day and asking if I could pick her up from the airport.
    Having seen many pics of the apartment and having accepted all my conditions on the phone, 2 different flirtatious and beautiful local women came to see the apartment. Both proposed to relocate the next day and to pay the day after the next day - which translates into forgetting the apartment and rent collecting at least for one year. Some other locals called to ask if the rent could be reduced by some 50%.
    I understood within a week that to discontinue the ad was an emergent safety measure. I switched into the traditional realtor method which worked much better and faster.
    Browse the ads today in any section, all are creatively invented scams. Craigslist is not intended for normal people anymore.
  18. Kevin Desmoulin from Toronto, Canada writes: The Natrix from Toronto, Canada writes: The difference here is it is free, so you're going to have all the scum and scrubs being attracted to this, vs having to pay for posting a ad. I can definitely see how a woman, selling something can be a bit intimiated when a man comes around looking to buy it after reading about that microwave incident.

    But this is also the crazy U.S. that this story mainly focuses on. I'm sure stuff like that happens here in Canada, but likely alot less frequently and and severity. If that observation is incorrect, the sheer size of the U.S. population will make it seem so.

    So you think bc posting a free ad attracts the scum and scrubs?
    I thought people use it bc it is free and simple and local, Grassroots and unitarian.

    Any ad paid or not will get you attention and perhaps of the wrong sort.
  19. Alistair McLaughlin from Canada writes: Ghetto Dude, I am much looking for place in Istanbul. Your apartments sounds like perfect new home for me! I would be very much pleased to be sending you a deposit on apartment, but require from you to give me your bank account number and telebanking password for which to make deposit. A credit card number with expiry date and security code from back is also acceptibly accepted. Please hear from you soon I'm hoping. P.S. Don't use the Craiglist, there are too very many crooks and scams are on there.
  20. Ghetto Dude from Istanbul, Turkey writes: I guess being in Canada makes a real difference: everybody above says Craigslist, which is a joke here, is okay. The posting that considers the free placement of ads, is also a very relevant criticism, in such free-to-use online stores, there are zillions of second-hand items on sale and many are dearly priced than their new ones! Perhaps not in Canada again, but the world's decency average is not that of Canada.
  21. P C from Toronto, Canada writes: I've used Craigslist locally to sell some low-value stuff that I couldn't be bothered to list on eBay and deal with the shipping issues and all. My experience, given the free nature of the service, is that it attracts only the unreliable and low-ballers. You can be sure that for every ten people that contact you, only 1 or 2 will show up at the appointed time and that they will seek a 50% haircut on your asking price. The utility of Craigslist is dropping by the day.
  22. Ghetto Dude from Istanbul, Turkey writes: Sorry Alistair McLaughlin, I have recently sold that apartment to finance the expenses incurred for collecting the sum of USD10.546.788 I am entitled to in Nigeria. The email I received from a general's daughter last month wrote I had that sum waiting for me there. I have completed all the formalities and am flying to Nigeria tomorrow.
  23. John Deriso from Edmonton, Canada writes: I've used CraigsList, Kijiji, and even UsedEdmonton.com to buy and sell a lot of things. I've never had a single problem.

    The only real problem with CraigsList are the moralists and crusaders who go around removing posts that they believe are scams or are illegal.
  24. Gary Dare from Portland, Oregon, Canada, writes: Proud to Be Canadian writes, 'The only one I am having difficulty would be the 'come take all my stuff' scam .' Such a thing did happen last month here in Oregon, and once earlier in Washington State last autumn.

    http://www.katu.com/news/16952026.html
  25. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: I have used CraigsList once... and just recently at that.

    Sold a set of Futon bunk beds in about 15 minutes.

    I certainly can't complain about it.... Course I've never tried shopping for a hooker on there.

    Cheers
  26. B Ford from Edmonton, Canada writes: Someone responded to a 'friend's' ad on craigslist to ask that the item be sent before the cash was in her hands. NOPE we are not falling for that one.
  27. Gary Dare from Portland, Oregon, Canada, writes: I have bought and sold bicycles and cars on Craigslist, as well as trade smaller items for stuff of similar value. The key is that you meet local people and get to inspect the merchandise before you transact.

    Right now, I'm using a mouse and keyboard from a dead iMac, traded for four used CD's, on a docked Powerbook.
  28. Gord Galvin from Chalk River, Canada writes: Craigslist Rocks!

    I've bought tickets (Virgin Festival, Neil Young, Mariposa), couch & chair, teak end tables, bicycles, a vintage Malm fireplace a Garland commercial stove and more

    Sold tickets, bicycle trainer and some other things I can't remember

    All of the people we met were great, honest and willing to meet us 'half way'

    I'm confident the negative experiences are statistically tiny however bad shite sells better than nice.....

    The only thing I struggle with is how can something so good be so cheap (free!!!)
  29. Craig Cooper from Toronto, writes: I have hookers and hitmen on my list? Cool!

    I didn't even know I had a list...
  30. Gary Thomson from Canada writes: How do these revelations make Craig's List any different from pretty much any internet site out there?
  31. Jane Doe from Canada writes: Craigslist rules! If it weren't for it. then perhaps people would still use regular classifieds for small stuff, and the same crime would have occurred as a result of the classifieds. Sorry GM, the grapes on craigslist are far from sour.
  32. Proud to Be Canadian from Canada writes: Gary Dare from Portland, Oregon, Canada,

    Yes I know , I was just saying that all the other scams and such that they were attributing to the evils of using Craigslist , I have heard about the same thing from newspaper classified ads as well . Rental ripoffs employment scams creepy people coming to look at your car for sale.

    The only new one that I could not recall was a craigslist only was the come take everything ..ad.. which if I really tried could most likely dredge up of happening from a classified ad in a newspaper.

    I will still use it .
  33. Puzzled One from Canada writes: Post of the day award is shared between Alistair and Ghetto Dude-- I nearly spat out my tea!

    Craigslist is no different from marketplaces throughout the world, be they physical, print, or cyber-- wise purchasers must wade through scams and cons to find the deals.
  34. aniphylactic shock troops from Victoria, Canada writes: Craigslit = free
    Newspaper classifieds = 3-line minimum at about $5 a line.
    No brainer. Newspapers are dead meat.
  35. Jacques Shellac from Montreal, Canada writes: The G&M and The Star and most every paper in the country is going to flog this for all it's worth, given their reliance on classified ads for income.
  36. E A from Canada writes: Um, I'm going to go out on limb here and say their ad revenues are much more lucrative than classifieds...not to mention, the items advertised are typically quite different. But keep looking for those conspiracies, it really heightens the quality of these conversations...
  37. Lou Bix from Canada writes: If you look in the Auto trader there are cars that are junk for sale.
    Anywhere there are ads. You will find scams.
    It's up to the buyer to be on his game or go to Canadian tire.
  38. Gizella Oehm from Toronto, Canada writes: Wow. I had no idea. I recently bought the house that I acquired as a rental through Craiglist, spent 2 months in Budapest last year in a very nice apartment that I acquired through Craigslist (in fact, I've stayed at a number of B&Bs and such in Europe over the last few years thru Craigslist), bought and sold furniture, etc. I've been a big fan of this site since 2002. As other people mention in this discussion, advertising scams have been around as long as advertising's been around. People need to exercise caution, remember that anything that sounds too good to be true IS probably not true, and so forth. For renting homes and other things, purchasing various household appliances, looking for work or even people to be involved in certain projects, it's great. I hope that the few users who are scamming people, and the other users who seem to have no judgement, don't ruin Craiglist for the rest of us.
  39. Canadian In Motown from United States writes: Craig Cooper, you made my day.
  40. Darren X3 from Toronto, Canada writes: I note that G and M STILL has this story prominently displayed a week later, a much longer lifespan than the average story. It's not because Craigslist is taking a huge bite out of ad revenues, nothing like that, it's just newsworthy. Yeah, that's it.

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