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Fake Craigslist Ad Costs Man Most of What He Owns

by Peter Mychalcewycz on March 25, 2008 at 02:28 PM


In honor of April Fool's Day, we bring you a not- so- hilarious tale of internet mischief.

According to the Seattle Times, an Oregon man is trying to piece his life back together after fake Craigslist ads were posted saying that everything at his home was free for the taking. The ads stated that the owner of the house had to leave unexpectedly, and evidently without any of his possessions.

Farm-owner Robert Salisbury returned home to find approximately 30 people rummaging through his property. Before he had even gotten there, he had unsuccessfully attempted to stop a truck loaded with his lawn equipment from driving past him. Unsuccessfully being the key word in that sentence.

Salisbury's losses would have been much worse, had a woman, Michelle Eisely, interested in Salisbury's horse not called. The situation had seemed strange to her -- a free horse, after all -- so she called him. The Craigslist ad said that the horse had been declared abandoned by the sheriff's department, but Eisely noted that horse was in good condition and did not seem to have the characteristics of an abandoned animal. Luckily, she harnessed the power of common sense and called Salisbury.

Authorities are working with Craigslist's legal team to trace the perpetrators, and, to recover the stolen items, which, apparently, include pretty much everything -- including the porch swing.

All items can be returned, no questions asked. For Pete's sake people.

From AOL News and Seattletimes (via BoingBoing)


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Tags: breaking+news, craigslist, top, weird

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