Craigslist or Crimeslist? Popular online classifieds home to thieves, con artists, prostitution

November 27, 2007

Chandler Cook and Elizabeth Dorsch made a deposit for a lease-to-own house they found through the community billboard Web site Craigslist.org, but the “seller” vanished on them.

In Tigard, a man allegedly invites women to his house and sexually assaults them.

In Portland, newlyweds discover that their minister allegedly stole their wedding gifts.

In Beaverton, police find a prostitution ring operating in a local motel.

And in Gresham, a couple steals and resells utility trailers for years.

All of these accused or convicted criminals have one thing in common – they committed their crimes with the help of Craigslist (www.craigslist.org), the wildly popular Web site for buying and selling property and services, as well as finding a job, a roommate or a date.

By Jim Redden

The Portland Tribune

Full Story: http://www.portlandtribune.com/news/story.php?story_id=119610934792707200