Burglars Browse Facebook Status Updates for Empty Homes
We all enjoy updating our Facebook statuses to let all of our friends know about our totally rad social lives. Sometimes, however, these seemingly innocuous updates can only help tech-savvy criminals to choose their targets with greater accuracy -- as one band of burglars in New Hampshire recently proved. As WMUR Manchester reports, police have now confirmed that a group of burglars in Nashua, New Hampshire have indeed been using the social network to target victims and raid their homes. The criminals reportedly harvested clues from users' status updates, and then used them to determine when a person might be away from home. All in all, the gang is believed to have stolen between $100,000 and $200,000 worth of property, including ammunition, electronics, fireworks and, um, remote-controlled cars.
So far, police have identified three male suspects believed to be involved in the ring, although more could be implicated as the investigation continues. Officials also believe they've already solved 18 individual burglaries, and are currently searching for links to dozens more. Cracked as the case may be, police are still urging people to exercise caution when choosing what to share with the world via the Internet. "Be careful of what you post on these social networking sites," warns Capt. Ron Dickerson. "We know for a fact that some of these players, some of these criminals, were looking on these sites, and identifying their targets through these social networking sites."





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Comments
11
Subscribe to commentsNoAndThenSep 10th 2010 1:38PM
Just another reason to continue not using facebook... idiots.
KrisSep 13th 2010 3:07PM
You can block what people see on FB. They must have their setting wrong. It's 2010. Staying away from FB doesn't make your life safer. Were this scared of the microwave and cassette player too? Once you learn to use it correctly, it's TONS of fun. You're really missing out.
GreatSep 13th 2010 5:25PM
@Its2010
Lol your one of the ones who uses facebook and has no idea then. Facebooks so called security and servers are some of the easiest and simplest to hack. Its also easy as most of the user on there have no clue what is going on they think its a place to talk to friends and post thier little logs. Just because your control panel says your account is private it really isn't and thats what makes facebook such a traget as its very open and un protected and users think it is. You should stay off there if what you said is what you really believe lol poor slow facebook users ohh and on side note facebook peaked 3 years ago and just the left overs who dont know better or are pedophiles still on it
KrisSep 13th 2010 3:11PM
Ok, i saw most of your comments you've made on other posts. I see why you said what you said. You're scared of ANYONE knowing what you're doing. What ARE you doing that's so secretive??? Hmmmm, now you're kinda S C A R Y
renniSep 13th 2010 4:14PM
@Its2010
Research was just completed through a major university (I believe it was Johns Hopkins) and it shows that the majority of FB users have low self esteem. Why anyone has the need to let everyone know what they are doing or thinking every moment of the day is beyond me and screams that these people are in need of attention. I call FB "the place where people tell other people when they FART".....The hours spent on FB are wasted .
MarkoSep 13th 2010 3:31PM
Well, I am sure the Police will catch the "BURGLARLY" People....!
monroefamilySep 13th 2010 5:35PM
@rennirhome --unlike people who waste their time commenting on others' comments. LOL
AbraxusSep 13th 2010 5:58PM
@Fletchguy Where do you get off calling people who use Facebook pedophiles jerkface? Some people use Facebook as a way to connect with family far away, some of us DO have our privacy settings on high and don't allow anyone else access to our profiles - I even block people I know because I have no inclination to see every fricking photo they have ever taken of their dog, etc. Facebook is as safe as ANY of the social networking sites, BUT you must make sure you have your settings to ONLY friends and of course, never say you are away on vacation etc, stands to reason there are people out there who might use that info or accidentally tell the wrong type of person.
In future, save the pedophile comments for when you're looking in the mirror, oh wait, you find that offensive? Really? What a shocker!
GreatSep 13th 2010 5:28PM
Very very true same with twitter. The people who use that can't handle actual social interaction and hide behind thier screens. Its really sad if you see the people who use these site for anything but work promotion. They are some of the most messed up people you will ever meet and the iq drops quickly the longer a user has been active there.
GreatSep 13th 2010 6:50PM
@Abraxus
I'm not offended as I'm not on facebook and I'm not a pedophile but seems to hit a nerve with you for some reason....You just spit up the basic non educated facebook user line..I have my security on high and my profile isn't public.....I'm guess your using Facebook' so called security then correct? Which isn't security. Their security and server are the easiest to hack. Just because you think people can't see your account doesn't mean the people who use it for harm can't lol FB is not secure . It would take about 5 minutes to take over your account lock you out and use your account and info to mass infect every person that is your friend or listed as a common friend with your direct friends.. For what your doing a simple family blog page would be much safer. then you can ad skype with a good decent cell phone and do real time video chats free world wide so there is no need for facebook except as I said ton of pedophiles using it, account victims in waiting, and general use for business promotion.. I'm sorry your offended by facts but it is known Facebook is a breeding ground for pedophiles as it was were young kids went and do some dumb stuff like share info which pin points the user just like twitter. Any parent that allows their kid on facebook and twitter has no grounds to be upset when their kids get snatched or killed as your openly allowing them to use these places with well known info they can be easily tracked by just simply posting..If you have kids on there you need to learn a little about the internet and safety..Just because you clicked facebook privacy that means only the basic user doesn't see you but that's not who you worry about. Daily stores of how accounts have been breached and used for no good are on the news just take a look then come back and tell me how great and safe face book is because they say clicking private makes you secure lol Trust me not that I would do it ,but taking a Facebook account over and monitoring everything that's linked to it is very simple fast and easy.People link emails, cell phones, names,addresses, locations, and an ip trail right to their home computer and address while thinking its safe because they clicked private settings.Think about it and you 'll understand I hope.
BOBO1Sep 13th 2010 11:58PM
you asked for it so you got it!!!! you are a moron posting that you are away on facebook or myspace. you deserve it you idiot!!!!