Oregon man's property ransacked after Craigslist hoax ... cruel, cruel, cruel...

Hello Destiny,

Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this. I've never visited Craig's List, and now know that I won't in the future!

I simply cannot fathom how the hoaxster could have done something this 'low down'. What a rotten thing to do to a person, eh?

I definitely hear ya' about pleading the 5th! Though, it's unconsciounable that once told that the man was present and accounted for, and was not relinquishing ownership of his belongings, that the people who ransacked his home would not have simply stopped, and apologized for allowing themselves to be drawn into the cruel hoax.

What were the ransackers thinking???

Hello Gewcew,

Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this.

I'm in full agreement that the ransackers should have ceased their 'free for all' once the man identified himself. I simply cannot imagine how they could have sincerely believed that it was their right to take this man's belongings. Could you ever imagine yourself doing such a thing?

You're also right that the ransackers or thieves are lucky that they didn't end up with bird shot in their behinds, or worse.

I'll also add that you have touched on such an important aspect of this story, that being respect or the lack thereof.

Great points!

Hello Drannhh,

Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this. Hmmm, I understand your predicament about warning your friend about similar online services. Though, I'm hard pressed to use the term 'service' in this discussion.

I share your commitment to gifting through recognized charities. In doing so, we are helping both the buyer of our unwanted items, and the charities. Excellent point!

Baby selling hoaxes? Wow, I'm glad that I missed that one!

Though, if you could clear this up for me, I would surely appreciate it. Could the 'hoaxster have obtained this man's home address from the site, or would the hoaxster have had to have known him personally? In other words, if the man had previously participated on Craig's List, would his info have been available for someone to access to perpetrate this hoax?

Although in most of the stories about this sort of abuse that I have read, there is a suspicion that the people perpetrating the hoax do know their victim and choose him or her because they want some kind of revenge, it is entirely possible that some choose their victims quite randomly. Either way, it is inexcusable behavior.

The same sort of thing could happen with a flyer tacked to a bulletin board in the grocery store or on a sign post, so really, it would seem in any such situation that all people should exercise care.

Hello Arkaf,

Excellent points about personal responsibility!!!!!

I hope you're right that the hoaxster is found and prosecuted.

As for Craig's List bearing any culpability here: First, I do not know how Craig's List operates, as I've never visited the site. So, if my ignorance demonstrates some obvious contradiction to the Craig's List business model, please excuse my ignorance, and educate me.

However, I have to say that if I were a moderator for an internet site, I would have suspected that this sounded fishy, and would have made a sincere effort to verify the ad. Why? Because it seems highly unlikely that someone would simply offer up their accumulated life's belongings on a whim. Particularly if the person was relocating. Most people who move take at least some of their belongings, and try to sell the rest -- because heaven knows that relocating is terribly expensive. Does this make sense in relation to Craig's List?

I don't know how things are posted in craigslist but I am sure that the hoaxer can be traced back to who he is unless on top of an hoaxer he is also a pro in computers. And even so, I still think it can be done.
As for the site. I have been there are few times but I'm nor really sure how it works. However, short from going to the place and verify for themselves if it was true or not, I'm not sure of what they could do. THey're based probably quite far from where it happened and they just provide the space for the ads. I don't think they have any responsibility on what's posted.
I agree with you that such an add would ring warning bells= really loud warning bells:) but I don't even know how often they monitor the whole thing.Or even if they do it or how they do it. There are so many things in there.ANyone can post and add for anything.
At least that's how I remember it.It's a huge list of free ads for all kinds of things from jobs to things for sale and even personals if I am not mistaken.
It's free as well, so anyone can post anything there for free.
It's like the classifieds in a newspaper. I wonder if someone went to a newspaper and paid for a specific advertisement, they would not really check it if I am not mistaken. They would just publish it.That's basically what craiglist is.

Thanks for the follow-up Arkaf.

The 'free' aspect of the site most likely limits their desire to screen the site in its entirety.

Good point about a person walking into the newspaper storefront to place an add. It's highly unlikely that the classifieds counter person would seek to clarify that the placer of the add was in fact a resident at the address listed. Excellent point!

WHich brings us back to personal responsibility LOL

Indeed it does, Arkaf!

Hello Worldwise,

Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this issue.

I fully agree that this was, and probably continues to be a nightmare for the homeowner. I can only imagine that the ransackers trashed the guys property, not so unlike the kind of whirlwind that accompanies the day after Thanksgiving Sales, where retail stores are turned topsy-turvey by bargain hunters. Though, at least the news account indicates that a stream of his returning belongings continue to show up in his driveway -- which is a good thing! I just hope that the hoaxster's identity is found out.

You make a great point in contrasting common sense, and gullibility. Whether it's the internet or not, your point is sound -- people need to think before they act! Great point!

Hello Clrumfelt,

Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this issue. Like you, I will avoid Craig's List, like the plague! And yes, you're absolutely right, this is a case of identity theft. Though, I'm sure that other legal charges would apply. Yup, I agree that the hoaxster and every thief who took this man's belongings, without remedy, should be charged to the fullest extent of the law.

I do not know if Craig's List has any such warning. Though, it seems to me that it would be fairly simple to build a security measure into place to protect their users.

If addresses of participants are openly listed (which is beyond foolish to begin with), then it would seem fairly simple to create an auto-responder to send a confirming e-mail to the member linked to the address, BEFORE an ad could be listed.

-OR-

Simply attach a password to the user, and require it before an ad is accepted.

It seems to me that not having some security measure in place demonstrates woeful neglect on the part of the Craig's List administration and ownership. What do you think?

Hello Surfette,

Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this issue.

Hmmm, your reasoning behind believing that the hoasxter probably knew the victim seems to make sense. Thanks for adding that, especially since I have no familiarity with how Craigslist works!

You also make a great point about the presence or absence of a sign identifying the intent of the homeowner to give away his possessions! Typically, Estate Sales, Lawn Sales, Garage Sales, etc... are well marked. As I recall, I have even seen signs at the curb in front of people's houses indicating "Free" on certain household items.

I share your concern that this kind of hoax could be perpetrated against any one of us. You give us an excellent reminder to be cautious about the party on the other side of the internet screen!

Hello Twoey,

Thanks for stopping by! Yes, within a week of the original incident, a husband and wife were caught by the authorities. They had responded to a genuine "For Rent" ad that the homeowner had placed. They met to look at the house, then decided to go back and rob him blind. The Craig's list ad was designed to 'cover' their criminal intent.

I agree that Craig's List should require a password verification for any ad posted. That would eliminate so many of the tragic incidences that have been linked to their site.

Hey there, Progamer,

Thanks for stopping by!

I agree that they should build in some sort of verification system. It seems that other sites have been able to do so. Perhaps a password verification before an ad is placed by someone -- to make sure that it was posted by the actual member???

Hello MikesWifey,

"... everyone who went into this mans house should be brought up on charges for being stupid."

Too funny! I couldn't help but envisioning someone standing before a judge, trying to defend the charges that they had acted in a wholly 'stupid' fashion.

I had not heard about the young woman being murdered after responding to an employment advertising. Now that's truly frightening.

Yup, like you, I think that I'll just keep my distance from "Craig's list".

As to the why of it all: I posted a follow-up shortly after the original story aired. It turns out that the culprits (a husband and wife) had responded to a "For Rent" ad. They met the owner to look over the house, and decided to go back later on to rob him blind. The Craig's list ad was simply a cover for their criminal plan. Grrr!