Craigslist Scam, Stolen Car, Home Break-In: Crime Reports

MANASSAS, VA — Authorities are warning residents about scams on the online buying-selling site Craigslist after an area resident was victimized in a car purchase.

According to Manassas City Police, the 21-year-old was attempting to buy a car from the online classifieds.

The victim was instructed to make several payments using prepaid cards, which she did, providing the card numbers to the seller over the phone. The seller then demanded an additional payment for shipping, using the same method, and the victim complied.

The ad was removed from Craigslist, and the victim has not heard back from the seller and has not received the vehicle.

The city police warns that online scammers will take advantage of anyone.

"Payments by prepaid cards are a red flag that something isn’t normal, whether someone is asking you to use them to pay a bill or purchase an item or service," according to a police statement.

Craigslist has tips on Avoiding Scams.

Other incidents, as reported by the Manassas City Police:

Breaking & Entering
On April 3, 2016, Manassas City Police met with a resident on the 9000 block of Portner Ave for a report of a breaking and entering. The reporting party told officers that sometime between 1 a.m. and 8 a.m., someone attempted to enter her residence by breaking a window pane located near a deadbolt on a rear door.

Motor Vehicle Theft
On April 2, 2016, Manassas City Police met with a resident on the 8900 block of Cannon Ridge Dr for a report of a stolen auto. The reporting party told officers that sometime between 3 p.m. and 10 p.m., someone stole her green 2002 Toyota Camry (valued at $4,000) from where it was parked in the area of Tackett Ave and King Carter St. Several items including a mirror and a briefcase, valued together at $1,250, were also in the trunk at the time of the theft. On April 3, officers recovered the vehicle and returned it to its owner. To date no arrest has been made.