Craigslist crime serves as warning

SPEEDWAY, Ind. (WISH) - Speedway Police say private online sales crimes are a growing trend that's impossible to stay ahead of and with the holidays here they're warning – buyers and sellers beware.

For 15 years, Speedway Police Lieutenant Trent Theobald has watched counterfeit money get more and more like the real thing.

"Can you believe somebody can make something like this that close? I would've never thought it."

It's hard to tell even for experts let alone a couple who just wanted to sell their Xbox on Craigslist.

They met the buyer in the parking lot of a local restaurant, handed over the console in exchange for cash, but just as they realized something about the money wasn't right the thieves were gone.

"There's a lot of scams that are out there, and not just within Speedway, but in other communities that are dealing with this same thing," said Theobald.

Police say with more transactions on Craigslist and EBay than ever before, they offer these tips:

• When setting up a transaction, make sure to meet the buyer or seller in a public place
• Make sure it's in the daytime
• Take a friend if possible

"If one's not available make sure you tell someone where you're going, let them know the location, that I'm going to meet the buyer or seller," said Theobald.

Then, hold it high. Check the money for a visible security thread and watermark image. Those are the hardest for counterfeiters to duplicate.

Tips to remember to make sure that great deal isn't really a set-up to steal.

"Those are some great deals out there. I've been on there. I've looked at them myself and yeah there's some of those that are too good to be true. You have to be cautious that it is too good to be true. You don't want to put yourself in a bad situation," said Theobald.

The Speedway Police Department is working with The U.S. Secret Service in this case. If those responsible are caught, they'll be facing federal counterfeiting charges.