Man Conducts His Own Sting To Catch Craigslist Scammer

[Still Sensible]

Criminals make it so easy.... sometimes:

Tulsa, Oklahoma - Travis Repp pulled into the parking lot of Taco Bueno last week to get a good deal on a computer he found through Craigslist. Instead the seller pulled out a gun and took Repp's $350 in cash.

Determined to get justice, Repp devises a plan for his own sting to catch the man.

He pretended to be someone else responding to the same ad for the computer

"I created an Internet based number and texted the guy," said Repp. "And we kind of had a dialogue going back and forth," he said.


http://www.ktul.com/story/20649022/man-conducts-his-own-sting-to-catch-craigslist-scammer

[obxhead]

1. If only cops did more of this kind of thing

instead of looking for people with pot.

Glad it worked out for this guy.

[Still Sensible]

2. Exactly. And it didn't SWAT team, just a smart

guy, a simple plan, and a little support from TPD.

[kestrel91316]

4. Here in LA, our lovely LAPD would have warned him not to do it,

and then when he did it and wanted them to arrest the scammer/thief they'd refuse............and arrest HIM.

[Ian David]

3. If you're doing a cash transaction, always meet in a bank lobby.

After you view the merchandise in the bank lobby, withdraw the funds and pay the person right there.

Make sure you explain that you feel more secure, because both of you have been on camera together, so if something happens to you, they'll know who did it.

[Still Sensible]

5. Really good advice! n/t

[Ian David]

6. Actually, I would do that for ANY transaction, cash or otherwise.

But it helps to not piss-off the bank if you're actually using their services for something.

They might get annoyed if you spend several hours a day selling your Beanie Babies, one at a time, to a long line of people you met on Craig's List.

[d_r]

7. Yeah, that IS really good advice

I wonder if the guy thought he was getting a hot computer and that is why he agreed to meet in the taco bueno parking lot.

[ReRe]

8. Yeah, but...

...Travis Repp didn't get his money back. Will he get it back later when the robber is held accountable in a court of law?

[Curmudgeoness]

9. Sometimes, you just know you have lost the money

and nothing you do will change that....but this guy got 1) revenge and 2) the satisfaction of saving others from losing their money.

I do not believe that he will get his money back. I am no lawyer, but I think that his only option would be a civil suit and is it even worth the bother?

[Moosepoop]

10. He might...

If convicted, the robber could be ordered to pay restitution as part of his sentence, though the victim ever collecting it may be another story.

Or, the robber might choose to relinquish the money back to the victim before conviction/sentencing in an effort to cooperate and mitigate his sentence.

I hope the victim gets his money back one way or another!

[jerseyjack]

11. Follow the link and read about the asshole trying to run down a coyote.

He and his passenger ended up in hospital and the truck turned over.

Wylie Coyote won this round.

[2naSalit]

12. I saw that on another blog

earlier this week. And the sod farmer is pissed about the damage too, those kids might just learn an important lesson here... maybe. Seems they may actually get what they deserve.