Image via Complex Original
The classified advertisement site built by Craig Newmark in 1995 has played host to some of the biggest pranks ever promoted online. This should come as no surprise to those who’ve actually found themselves venturing through the site at one point or another in search of employment, housing, or even sexual partners. However, due to its flawed sign-up system, Craigslist has served more as a horseplay tool than a community service platform—one that has caused serious embarrassment for several victims and placed many clowns in front of a judge or behind bars. So before going shopping for your next TV or one-night stand, you might want to familiarize yourself with these 10 Craigslist Pranks That Went Wrong.
The Craigslist Sex Troll
Date: September 2006
Jason Fortuny decided to perform a social experiment on Craigslist, where he disguised himself as a woman seeking sex from random men. The bogus personal ad caught the attention of over 150 horny males who provided not only explicit photos of themselves, but full names, phone numbers, and email addresses. Fortuny played every single one by publishing their info online for the world to see. The joke was on him though, as one anonymous victim sued the sex troll, leading to $35,001 in damages “for violating the plaintiff’s copyright.”
Thieving Couple Asks for Help in Robbing House
Date: March 23, 2008
Property owner Robert Salisbury became the victim of a deplorable trick that left his house and barn ransacked by hordes of patrons. According to the fraudulent post made by couple Amber and Brandon Hebert, Salisbury was leaving town and declared his valuables up for grabs, including his horse. The two fabricated the ad hoping it would serve as a cover to an earlier burglary they performed at the victim’s house in which they walked away with several saddles. Both were arrested immediately and held under charges of conspiracy to commit burglary and computer crimes.
The $1,000 Baby
Date: March 26, 2008
It takes a sick person to post an ad selling a baby for $1,000. Enter Patrick Lee Ryan. The idiot behind this twisted prank left a message stating the seller needed money because they were out of “tweak.” Whatever that means. Ryan went on to faces charges of buying or selling a child and committing a computer crime, while being held on bail for $35,000.
Woman Has Women Call Ex-Boyfriend at Work
Date: March 5, 2009
Kari Heath posed as her ex-lover, Joseph Strasburg, and sent out a personal ad seeking random men to call him at work for some “dirty talk” action. Strasburg reported her to authorities claiming she admitted to the prank via text message, leading to her arrest. So how did the police come to conclusion Heath was behind the crime? The ad supposedly featured photos only she could have. A felony charge for identity theft was issued.
The Soccer Mom Orgy
Date: April 22, 2010
Neighbors can be a handful. But in the case of Phillip James, they’re just dicks. Beef with a female neighbor encouraged the Connecticut man to post an explicit ad inviting strangers to come over to her crib, implying she wanted to "please as many as I can before I go to work!" James was soon charged with reckless endangerment, harassment, criminal trespassing, and risk of injury to a minor as the soccer mom had children living in her home.
The Ex-Wife Strikes Back
Date: June 29, 2011
Brandenton Police placed a felony charge on Natasha Larson for “fraudulent use of personal identification and information” when she placed a phony ad under her husband’s ex-wife’s government, Tracy Wilder. It allegedly read as follows:
"I am currently dating a descent [sic] man but he is lacking some skills in the bedroom. Its [sic] nice but I need to be thrown around a little bit and to be dominated, that is exciting for me…Please be respectful if you do stop by."
Not the brightest (or classiest) move from a woman who ran a day care center directly from her home.
The FREE Baby Ad
Date: Feb. 29. 2012
An unidentified Mississippi teenager from Clinton High caught a case for posting a free baby advertisement with a friend’s cellphone number as the primary contact. The 18-year-old student apparently snatched a random baby photo and placed it on the wanted forum. It didn't take long before the authorities were alerted. Charges are pending with prosecutors stating the act could be prosecuted under the state law as a felony. These kids down south be wildin'.
College Student Places Fake Sex Ad for Girlfriend's Harasser
Date: April 1, 2012
There’s the right way to defend your girlfriend. Then there’s the Omar Daniel Gonzalez-Torres way, which is obviously wrong on all accounts. The then 21-year-old college student took out a sex ad for the woman that was harassing his main squeeze, claiming she was willing to offer erotic services and blasting her number to the Craigslist community. Once his antagonist’s phone started blowing up with calls, cops subpoenaed the site for the culprit’s number and called it—only to hear Gonzalez-Torres on the other end.
The Other $1,000 Baby
Date: Feb. 15, 2013
Residents of Manitowoc, Wisconsin caught wind of a Roncalli High School teen’s prank to sell a newborn for $1,000 on the site. Though the 17-year-old student was detained and held for questioning, he walked off with a $681 fine instead of criminal charges. One can only question what’s being put in the cheese out there.
Underage Prostitution Prank
Date: April 4, 2013
Cyber-bullying gone wrong or just plain stupidity? One 17-year-old girl found out the hard way what happens when you post a fake sex ad on Craigslist with someone's real contact information. She was charged with publishing obscene materials and unlawful communications with minors after the victim started receiving explicit messages and naked photos from respondents.