Craigslist Hoax Costs Man All

The online classified service Cragislist has its uses, to be sure, but there’s also a downside. AP reported that RobertSalisbury, an independent contractor living in Oregon, was the victim of fake ads on Craigslist that cost him all his possessions.   The ads, which appeared March 22, stated that he was leavingthe area suddenly and was offering all his goods free of charge – along with his horse.   Salisbury knew nothing of the ads until he received a call from a woman who wanted to collect thehorse. Then, as he arrived home, he found people making off with his property.   "I informed them I was the owner, but they refused to give the stuff back. They showed me the Craigslistprintout and told me they had the right to do what they did."   Once in the house, Salisbury evidently discovered around 30 people rummaging through his stuff. Again, he told them it wasall a hoax, but no one wanted to believe him.   Currently local police are liaising with Craigslist to try and determine who placed the ad. Those who took property have been told they can returnit with no questions asked. Those who don’t could be charged with looting – Salisbury noted license plate numbers of many who took his items.   It’s not the first time this hashappened on Craigslist. Last year a Tacoma woman was a victim when her niece placed a similar ad.