Bogus Ad Leads to Craigslist Attack

Craigslist is known for its ads and for its hoaxes, but police said it appears crooks ripped off would-be car buyers at gunpoint.

Two men from New York City drove to the Elm City on Friday to get a closer look at a car that was listed for sale on Craigslist and met a man named “Mike” in the 100 block of Dover Street, New Haven police said. 

While showing off the car, Mike suddenly started revving the engine and two men attacked them from behind, held them at gunpoint and took the $4,600 in cash the victims had to buy the car, as well as thousands in jewelry and a cell phone, police said. The robbers got away.

“One should use quite a bit of caution. If it doesn’t seem right, maybe it’s not right. If you aren’t familiar with the neighborhood you are in, you probably shouldn’t be there,” Officer David Hartman, of the New Haven Police Department, said.

Police said Mike appeared to be in his mid-40s, has tattoos on both forearms and is missing a few teeth.

“They met with presumably the owner of the car who started going over the car itself for sale,” Hartman said.

Experts said there’s a lesson to be learned in this, especially when buying a car on Craigslist.

“Try to meet in a public place, like a grocery store or parking lot with cameras. Just go someplace where you can be safe and assured you’re on neutral ground,” Bruce White, a computer information expert, said.

Even Craigslist warns its users about scams. The site lists several red flags to look out for, including unusually low prices, payment by money wire or shipping a vehicle.

“If it looks too good to be true, it probably is. You have to be careful who you’re buying from and selling to,” White said.

At this point, New Haven police have not made any arrests.

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