In the aftermath of recent robberies committed using online marketplaces to lure victims, Alaska officials are offering advice on how to buy, sell, and trade online safely.
On Thursday, January 23, Cloyd Lacap of Anchorage was indicted for allegedly using Craigslist to lure victims that he would later rob at gunpoint, during the sale of an iPhone and a PlayStation game console.
Chloe Martin, of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Alaska: “In the wake of the recent federal charges filed against Cloyd Lacap, we in law enforcement wanted to – we felt it was right to – let our community know, and to remind everyone of some important safety tips to consider when conducting transactions through online marketplaces, such as Craigslist.”
The behaviors she suggests may seem to be instinctive but are necessary to ensure secure transactions. “First, consider meeting in a public meeting place, like a café, a bank, a mall. Anywhere that you would feel safe. Try to avoid a secluded place or inviting strangers into your home. Do not do that. That might be a red flag. Be especially careful in buying or selling high-value items. That can be risky. Tell a friend or family member where you’re going. Take your cell phone along, if you have one, and consider having a friend accompany you.”
Chloe also offers a reminder that, in cases like this, using common sense can be beneficial: “Lastly, and probably most importantly, trust your instincts. If someone refuses to meet you in a safe place, then that’s probably a red flag.”
The Craigslist website offers many of the same safety tips that Ms. Martin has shared, but they are also quick to point out that “With billions of human interactions, the incidence of violent crime related to Craigslist is extremely low.”