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Subscribe to RSSDateline NBC's Chris Hansen investigates the world of online classified ads, such as Craigslist, by confronting those who sell drugs, human organs, counterfeit electronics, and even a hitman-for-hire online. This special Dateline report airs Friday, October 26, at 10pm/9c.
By Allan Maraynes
Senior Investigative Producer, Dateline NBC
It’s a crisp autumn day in the park, and there’s Chris Hansen, sitting across a table from a stranger he just met. The man’s munching on lunch while Chris begins the conversation. Chris is suggesting there’s someone who’s been causing him problems; a thorn in his side. The man has agreed to meet Chris because he says he can make Chris’s problem, “disappear.”
The stranger is suggesting he’s a hit man.
But what’s most interesting is where Chris found the stranger. Of all places… on Craigslist.
They used to be called “the classifieds.” A few pages in the back of the newspaper, hundreds of dry listings of cars for sale, apartment rentals, and help wanted ads. For many, the classifieds were just something to pass on the way to the sports pages. But today, the classifieds have taken on an entirely new dimension. No more type-setter to pay to place an ad in a newspaper. Most are placed for free, at the touch of a home keyboard or smartphone. As a result, there are millions and millions of “listings” in the worldwide on-line universe. Listings that are much more than just cars for sale or apartments for rent. They’ve become a glimpse into who we are; a look into the secret lives, dreams, and even schemes of millions.
When Producer Dan Slepian and his team of nimble video shooters began sifting through the main venues for online classifieds (backpage.com, and the most popular, Craigslist), it didn’t take long to find some very intriguing posts. But we didn’t want to merely exchange emails. We wanted to actually meet the people behind these posts out in the open. So we adopted online aliases and began arranging meetings.
We found a post offering to sell narcotic painkillers with no prescription. We know that’s illegal. Another listing seemed to be offering entire list of marijuana “clients” - for a price. In other words, someone was apparently selling his pot business.
We found someone who wanted to sell a kidney. It didn’t take long to find another post offering the same thing. What would drive someone to the brink of parting with a bodily organ - for cash?
There were listings from people warning us about scams. One poster claimed his boss was selling counterfeit electronics in a high end shopping mall (a boss for whom he was still working!). Another post warned about a kitchen cabinet supplier who allegedly took thousands of dollars, but ultimately never delivered the goods.
We also found a listing offering to sell Madonna tickets, so we set up a meeting in a New Jersey Railroad station. The seller showed up with computer generated tickets. But we wanted to know if the tickets were real. We got on the phone with Ticketmaster, the online ticket seller, and the company did confirm that the tickets were indeed fake.
…
The Dateline report 'Wild, Wild Web' airs Friday, October 26th, at 10pm/9c. Chris Hansen reports.
Leave a Comment:
Miss Keith Morrison this week..absolutely love him and his stories...Sorry do not feel that way about Chris Hansen....even though one might think he is doing a public service exposing illegal things...I HATE how he sets them up and entraps them..all in the name of entertainment (but I am sure DATELINE would consider it "informing the public") .I find it very uncomfortable to watch...so I do not.....i.e. his show tonight...I also do not think much of him as a man who was unfaithful to his wife and got caught...someone like that loses credibility and it is a hard sell to me to believe anything he says or does...Sorry that is how I feel...can do without him...
I caught the end of tonight's episode after I came home from work. I feel that it is about time someone exposed what is going on, on Craigslist. I searched for a house using Craigslist a few month's ago, and came across several scams. Thank god, I was skeptical about the story I was fed via email. I'm sure there are some people that do fall for these scams.
Hey, Chris? Isn't it illegal to purchase/solicit the controlled substances you are reporting on? What happens when you make a buy from an "undercover agent." Do the cops turn their heads?
Hey Chris, I know most of these clowns you bust just dont seem to get it. Whats funny is how often they say you look like that dude on the predator show. Do you supposed its because they are not intelligent enough to watch t.v. I just dont get how easy this stuff is to get, sell, use and make incredible amounts of money.
Chris, I think the show highlighted many scams and crimes. Unlike Sue from 01890, if they are putting that stuff out there there how can anyone call that intrapment. What disappointed me is the fact you just exposed these people. Especcally, the possible hitman. Maybe, you should work with the police on some of these. That way the show would get some of the greedy piranas off the enternet to make the show more than just intertainment.
Amazing that Craigslist can't weed out these criminal postings. I guess you have to be doing something really bad like trying to sale a puppy which they remove in about 24 hours.
Hello Chris & Lester,
A friend & coworker of mine has been going through an ordeal with someone trying to sell his house out from under him with ads on CraigsList. We are in I.T. and he has gone on the offensive in ways only people in I.T can but not everything has worked and CraigsList has not been helpful at all with the problem. People were actually showing up at his front door thinking they had an appointment to see the house!
Great show!
Dave
What I find pathetic about Chris Hansen is he doesn't mind screwing with people who are for the most part in the lower financial status who do what they do to survive while he makes millions from NBC screwing with these people and invading their space and privacy. Just once I wish one of these people could get a lawyer on consignment and sue NBC, Dateline & Hansen as these people are not people in the public like celebrities but ordinary people (meaning non-celebrities). I'm not supporting what some of these people do but its not up to Chris Hansen to publicize them for a TV audience. If anything, I bet some people watching will be encouraged to sell drugs online who didn't before. As for people willing to sell their own bodyparts, what right does the US have to interfere, its their right, as long as its done in a legitimate hospital with licensed doctors. I hate Chris Hansen He exploits the poor unfortunate slobs who have to resort to things outside the law to survive while he makes millions off them!
Phil Hersh: You are delusional. So, you're saying journalists should leave the poor alone, even if exposing a possible hit-man trying to make someone "disappear"? Besides, how can you call someone poor when they are doing a single job for 5.000 or more (again case in point, the hit-man)? And no-one should bend the law, rich or poor just to make money. period. What Chris has done is inform others and put out what is going on for discussion.
If anyone from Dateline wants to hear about a Craigslist used car scam involving a fake Amazon.com and western union, contact me for more info. I have all the e-mails and attempts at reporting these crooks but doubt they did anything. There isn't a way to report scams directly to Craigslist or to flag the ad. I think they should let you warn others like Facebook does. Anyway, I can give you a lot of info if you decide to do more on Craigslist and look at used cars. Rich
Two days before this story aired, I got ripped off purchasing tickets to the World Series. It sucks because these are professionals, committing real crimes, and there is nothing you can do about it. Craigslist says they "can't monitor it"... well, I agree with everyone having to take responsibility for their own personal actions (ie me getting duped), but at the same time, if crimes are BLATANTLY being comitted through use of THEIR website, they need to have a task force to control that. And also, it frustrates me how the police turn a blind eye to helping people when "small" crimes like this are committed - that's why people continue to do them, because they get away with it! Yes, maybe the people committing these crimes are "of a lower financial status" or whatnot, but that does not make it ok! I'm a middle-class bartender and I work very hard for my money - someone shouldnt be able to rip me off simply because they are too lazy to go get a job and work for a real wage. Chris & Dateline - if you happen to investigate this story further, please contact me! I am livid that someone did this to me and my family and would love to help. Regardless of the money, the guy that scammed my family took away memories from my son and I, and that's what I am most upset about. Thanks for your time!
People were actually showing up at his front door thinking they had an appointment to see the house!
I'm sure there are some people that do fall for these scams
If anyone has a problem with Chris Hansen doing investigative reporting it is probably because you are just as guilty as the people he exposes. Props to Chris!!! I would however like to see expanded reports where the police are in the wings waiting to continue the investigation and or arrest as they do on his other show about Predators. Craigs list needs to be shut down or monitored more effectively. I use Craigslist however I would be more than happy to find another way to find what I want if it means cleaning this up.
Deseret, I'm not guilty of any of that crap but I have a total problem of Chris Hansen exploiting the poor unfortunate who have to stoop to doing these things while he makes millions off them. Let's see Chris Hansen pick on people economically his size- he won't do it dude because he's afraid of people with power and clout. Chris Hansen reminds me of the neighborhood bully who picks fights with cripples instead of people his own size.
I would also really like to see them do a story on the people who advertise apartments for rent in New York City for 50.00 a night. A definite scam as well.
Hi Chris,
Is there any way someone can trace cell phone scams? I recently received a text notice that I had won $1000 from Best Buy only to find out Best Buy does not run such a contest or send text messages. I have a Tracphone so how did they get my number? And is there a government agency that investigates these scams?
it's even more unfortunate because the police can't really crack down on these ads until the person commits the act they are marketing on craigslist. (www.makeitmindful.com)
i think that the housing scams on craigslist are out of control. please look into this, ,date line!!
Hello Chris,
I had a really bad experience with Craigslist, I had to find my dog a good home and thought it would be a great way to find her a great loving home. Boy was I every wrong. Beware of people getting free dogs and turning around and selling them for profit. Really makes me sick. I'll include the emails going back and forth between me and the piece of trash person that picked up my dog. FYI my name is jeff and hers is Stephanie and the third person is the hero named Amy.
#1 Jan.07/13
Stephanie,
I shed a lot of tears after you two left but it is truly for the best. I know all of you will have so many happy years together. She will bring your family a lot of love as your family will bring a lot of love to her.
Please take care of my baby girl, as I love her so much. If there is every a problem with her you have my number and you know where I live, so just bring her back, no questions asked. Please don't every bring her to the pound.
You are very welcome and I should be the one saying thank you.
Thank you and God Bless, Jeff
On Jan 08, 2013, at 09:50 PM, Stephanie Doss <racefan12@lumos.net> wrote: