While bargain shoppers troll Craigslist for deals, criminals are increasingly prowling the site to lure them into traps, police tell the Las Vegas Sun. The setup goes like this: A “seller” posts an ad for an item such as an iPad or an expensive watch — often at an incredibly low price. He lures in a prospective buyer then arranges a meeting, perhaps in a remote parking lot in the evening.
When the buyer shows up with the cash, instead of getting a great deal, he gets a gun pointed in his face and is robbed. In recent weeks, police have seen a string of robberies — some armed — related to Craigslist transactions, said Sgt. Eric Kerns, whose problem-solving unit in northwest Las Vegas frequently investigates Craigslist-related crimes. “There's a lot of it right now because people are getting ready for Christmas and buying gifts,” Kerns said. Police urge those engaging in transactions that originate online to be careful. Don't invite strangers to your home. Meet in a public place with witnesses, and don't go alone.