Three steps to easy money!
1. Steal a bicycle.
2. Post to Craigslist that you saw an obviously hot bike and bought it so it can be reunited with its rightful owner, like this:
We recovered your stolen Miyata! – $50 (mission district)
My roommate bought this Miyata for $50. The bike is very obviously hot and we’d like to return it to its rightful owner. If this bike belongs to you or a friend of yours, please email me. I’m sure they miss it dearly. We’ll gladly give it back for the $50 we paid for it and some sandwiches and/or a case of beer. In order to claim your bike, you must tell me what kind of pedals are on the bike.
3. Receive cash from naive and grateful victims!
Note: It turns out this guy is probably honest. I guess I’m too old and cynical.
See also:
- Confidence trick.
- Street smart.
- Receiving stolen property: “Paying for the goods or intending to collect the reward for returning them are not defenses.“
Props to Jym for this find.
6 Comments
I've seen one other case of this, but the guy posted to the Bay Area Cyclocross Mailing List, hardly a den of thieves like Craigslist
I've seen one other case of this, but the guy posted to the Bay Area Cyclocross Mailing List, hardly a den of thieves like Craigslist
I, too, have a lot of trouble with the "probably honest" conclusion
I, too, have a lot of trouble with the "probably honest" conclusion
… even more having seen it and the comments. *Accolades?* For buying a hot bike and then wanting to sell it?
… even more having seen it and the comments. *Accolades?* For buying a hot bike and then wanting to sell it?