In honor of the Presidential Inauguration, I am starting a new series called the “Craigslist scam watch.” In our new Internet and now recessionary economy, I think all us Craigslist users need to be on alert.
Today’s scam comes courtesy of Crime Ne.ws:
Libra Latham would scan Craigslist ads looking for houses for rent or sale in the Orlando area and then post ads for the same houses but at lower a price. When someone showed up, she would pose as a rental agent and make phony rental deals and take off with the cash.
How Libra was caught:
After law enforcement had received complaints of the scam, they devised a trap for Libra. After she had shown a house to a suspicious viewer who complained immediately to the police they set up another viewing of the house that same night and as Libra executed the phony rental agreement, the investigators waiting nearby came in and busted her (Sounds like a great Cops episode).
Contact Sergeant Virgil Ford or investigator Chuck Lee at (386) 668-3830 if you suspect you were victimized by Libra.
Tags: Craigslist, online crime, online scams
Reading Tea Leaves by Randy Wilson 
January 18, 2009 at 12:09 am |
[…] Another inauguration! I’m getting new administration fever. Earlier today, I started a Craiglist Scam Watch and now I’ve decided on a Saturday special dealing with social […]
January 26, 2009 at 12:01 pm |
Don’t be fooled with online scams, they really sucks! I got a lot of e-mails every now and then telling me some sort of winning but actually will scam you if you’ll attentively reply to them with your personal information.
February 3, 2009 at 8:32 am |
Is this a real scam too?
I get this a lot in my spam folder
—
Subject: Make Money from Home on Craigslist
Good day to you! Please, read the following story!
Nowadays, when the world iconomic crisis has come upon our country too, people are looking for some good solutions to earn good additional income or to start some trusted own business. If you are one of these people, we have the right solution for you – for the first time now, the Craigslist Kit is offered as a free trial, to people who are interested to join the millions, who are making lots of money on Craigslist.
And it is given now for free, but the time of this offer is limited! If you want to take advantage of this free trial of the Craigslist Kit, which is still available(not for long), please send an answer to 18497sheldon.kellam@gmail.com so we can send you back more details on how to order and receive your Free Trial Kit.
The supplies of the Craigslist Free Trial Kit are going fast, many people are ordering this free trial, so be fast in your answer, so we can proceed further.
Thanks!
the Craigslist Secrets’ Manager
February 3, 2009 at 2:05 pm |
I think so. It “free” but there are “details” on “how to order.” Also, the lack of simple spellcheck, “iconomic” makes me very suspicious.
February 3, 2009 at 2:07 pm |
iconomic = internet economic or
apple economics 😉
February 3, 2009 at 4:44 pm |
LOL! nice…
February 13, 2009 at 3:10 pm |
[…] scam watch: phony rental agent By Randy Wilson Last month I postedabout “Libra” a Florida woman arrested for re-posting Craigslist ads and claiming she […]