Craigslist

FactFinder 12 Investigators talked to seven people who say they were scammed by the same man on Craigslist. The victims all posted ads selling vehicles on Craigslist, and were contacted by Robert Janzen. Jansen doesn't appear to do anything to hide his identity. He agrees to buy cars and motorcycles, convinces the sellers to give him the vehicle without payment, and then never returns. “He gave me his driver's license, phone numbers, social security number and addresses,” says Kim Pata.

Wichita police say a man was trying to sell his iPad on Craigslist, but ended up getting robbed at knifepoint. It happened Friday at around 7:00 pm in the 1300 block of N. Oliver. Police say the victim made arrangements to sell the iPad to someone responding to his Craigslist ad, but when he got there, he learned it was a setup.  The robber pulled a knife on him while another person grabbed the device.  Both ran into a getaway car driven by a third person. Police say they've interviewed at least two of the supsects, but it's not clear if either was arrested.

Wichita police are warning people to stay alert when shopping in Craigslist.  That, after a 20-year-old was robbed earlier this week. Police say it all started when a man from Manhattan arranged to buy four iPhones through an ad on Craigslist. That man arranged for a friend to make the purchase at a parking lot at 29th and Rock Road.  The friend went to the parking lot with $1,600 cash to make the purchase.  The friend handed the cash to the man who met him there.  He received a bag that supposedly contained the phones.  He noticed the bag was light, and after a closer look determined that the boxes in the bag did not contain the phones.

It appeared to be a safe place. In a parking lot, in the middle of the day. Saturday, police say a Wichita family selling their Playstation-portable on Craigslist met a potential buyer in a Taco Bueno parking lot. But instead of an exchange, a woman and two teenage boys were robbed at gunpoint. The suspect brought a briefcase with him and stole her purse, three cell phones and the Play station-portable. "You are taking a risk anytime you meet a stranger in a strange place," says Sgt. John Hoofer.

Craigslist has apparently closed the adult services section of its website, two weeks after 17 state attorneys general demanded it shut down the section. The link was replaced Saturday by a black and while "censored" logo. Kansas Attorney General Steve Six was one of the 17 state AG's who pressed for the change. Six says he is encouraged by this apparent step in eliminating the adult service section.  "I hope this is a permanent step Craigslist has taken in response to our group of attorneys general, shining a spotlight on this dark corner on the Internet.

You know what we always say about things that sound too good to be true.   In this FactFinder 12 investigation we uncover a website that offers to help sell your car in six months, or your money back. Not only does the company promise your car will sell, it promises to get you top dollar for the used ride.   Mike Bell test drove the website and feels he got ripped off. "I feel stupid really is how I feel that I let it happen to me," said Bell from his home in Anthony.

by Michael Schwanke (WICHITA, Kan.) If you're in the market for a rental home and you're shopping on Craigslist, area Realtors say be careful. Scammers are using the popular site to take your money. The scammers are stealing home listings off the Internet, and then re-posting them on Craigslist as a "Home for Rent. " Realtor Mike Grbic says it's been happening for several months, "But has gotten much worse the past couple of weeks. " We're getting a lot of calls from people thinking they're going to rent a $250,000 house for $900 a month.

By Kim Hynes (WICHITA, Kan.) A free Christmas car give away for five lucky people. It probably sounds too good to be true and come to find out it is. Someone keeps posting fake ads on Craigslist, telling people to go to a Wichita salvage yard to pick up a free car. "It's doubtful anyone is going to give away one car for free much less five cars," said manager Jon Rajsl. Yet for the last week, A to Z has had people show up for the Christmas car giveaway posted on Craigslist.

by Michael Schwanke Contact FactFinder 12 at 316-831-6166 or investigators@kwch.com Jorge and Shelly Montoya say it started with knocks on the door. "I didn't want to go to the door to open it," says Jorge. There were people wanting to rent their home even though they were trying to sell it "We started getting people knocking asking us if this was the house for a rent. " A call from their realtor explained it. The Montoya's house had ended up on Craigslist as a rental.

by Michael Schwanke Contact FactFinder 12 at 831-6166 or investigators@kwch.com The selection is almost endless. Craigslist is popular, and for most users, it's beneficial. But, it has a dark side too.  "It's amazing the amount of damage someone can do and what's scary is you can be an absolute innocent, non-participant in this stuff," says David Serling. Serling found and traded for a computer on Craigslist. When it didn't work, he contacted the seller who Serling says began posting false for sale ads using his information.