Police Caution Car Buyers about Private Sales Ads | Crime

From Fairfax County Police Department:

Robbery detectives are investigating two cases stemming from fraudulent Craigslist car ads. In three separate incidents, interested car buyers responded to online ads, coordinated a time and place to meet the purported car seller and when they arrived, two males approached and demanded money; at least one suspect displayed a gun.

            The first incident took place in the area of Pohick Road and Wadebrook Terrace on Saturday, September 10 just before 10 p.m.; the two victims, a 34 and a 39-year-old man, relinquished an undisclosed amount of cash to the suspects.

            The second incident occurred on Sunday, September 25 around 5:35 p.m. in the 13300 block of Ivakota Farm Road; the victim, a 41-year-old man, fled before the suspects could obtain any money.

            A third incident was reported on Tuesday, September 27 in the area of Pohick Road and Wadebrook Terrace around 7 p.m.; Virginia State Police is handling.

            Police urge anyone who arranges a meeting to purchase an item from someone unknown to them to exercise caution:

• Coordinate to meet in a public place
• Meet during the daytime
• If a price sounds “too good to be true,” it usually is
• Try not to go alone, if possible

            Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Solvers by phone at 1-866-411-TIPS/8477, e-mail at www.fairfaxcrimesolvers.org or text “TIP187” plus your message to CRIMES/274637 or call Fairfax County Police at 703-691-2131