Online classified sites can lead to robberies

A new Internet scam has University Director of Public Safety Jerry Minger and other Protect IU members alarmed.

“Robbery by appointment,” a scam most commonly related with Craigslist — a website used to post classified ads in various cities — first came to Minger’s attention when two IU-Purdue University Indianapolis students fell victim to the crime.

“What happened to these two students, someone posted an ad on Craigslist that they had property for sale, iPhones or iPads, and when they showed up, they were actually robbed,” Minger said. “I think in both cases, they brought money and were going to buy an iPhone when they had just released the product.”

The first robbery took place in a parking lot off campus, the second on West 10th Street in Indianapolis. Both places were public.

“It’s not a place where they felt unsafe at all,” Minger said. “In fact, reading some of the articles that were on the Internet, some of these places were within blocks of police stations and court houses.”

So far, Minger said he has only heard of one robbery by appointment incident in Bloomington, but it’s a scam that could happen to anyone.

Previously, he said one IU student fell victim to a scam when he bought a Mercedes online.

“The thieves had taken pictures of it and talked him into he’d get a better deal if you just send me the cash to this bank account,” Minger said. “Then we’ll give you the car and send you the title. The car was never what they said it was. They took a picture of a car that was out on a street.”

Minger said students and other Craigslist users should take measures to protect themselves and their items. He has posted tips for Craigslist users on the Protect IU website: protect.iu.edu/news.

When meeting someone for a transaction, please remember to:

- Insist on a public meeting place where there are plenty of people, better yet, the IUPUI Police parking lot or any police department. If you are dealing with a legitimate buyer, they will not object to the meeting location.

- Arrive at the meeting place much earlier than the agreed upon time to avoid being ambushed, especially if you are walking.

- Do not meet in a secluded place or invite strangers into your home.

- Be especially careful when buying and selling high-value items.

- Tell a friend or family member where you are going.

- Take your cell phone along, if you have one, to call 911 if necessary.

- Consider having a friend accompany you.

- Above all, trust your instincts.