North Texas Robbers Hunting For Victims Selling Items Online
DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) - Police in North Texas are warning that thieves are hunting for victims online. Lately these criminals are taking the crimes a step further and setting out to rob people face-to-face.
If you're meeting someone you don't know, you should do it in a busy, well-lit area. But one victim selling items on Craigslist said a thief took advantage of his sympathy.
Giang Tran put his PS4 up for sale on Craigslist. He told CBS 11 News he got a text message response from someone agreeing to buy it -- on one condition.
"He said his grandpa was handicapped," Tran explained. "And I tried to meet in a public place, but he didn't want. He said his grandpa had the money."
Tran followed directions and met a man at the Oak Hollow Apartments complex. As soon as Tran pulled out the game console, the man pulled out a gun.
"Whatever he told me I was going to do it -- it was my life."
Dallas police say they've seen nine similar robberies in the last 75 days, all targeting people selling items online. Four of those crimes happened in the same Oak Hollow complex. In at least two of the robberies the thieves assaulted their victim.
Looking back on the night he was robbed Tran said, "I didn't think people would go that far."
The 22-year-old said he'd never make the same mistake. There won't be another instance where he chooses sympathy for a stranger over his own safety. "I just lost trust."
Detectives believe some of the robberies are related, but not all of them. Police suggest that if you're going to meet someone you don't know, take a friend.
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