# Abetting Crimes on Craigslist Thief Recruited Unspecting Decoys Online By Cecilia Biemann | Published 2008-10-04 | Unique Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cyber-aided-crimes-thief-recruits-decoys-via-craigslist References: [metro](http://www.metro.co.uk/weird/article.html?Thief_hires_decoys_with_fake_Craigslist_ad&in_article_id=338546&in_page_id=2) In one of the most unusual robberies to date, a man wrestled a bag of cash from an armored truck guard with pepper spray and then escaped after using unsuspecting decoys solicited from a Craigslist ad to distract witnesses. The bogus Craigslist ad offered $28.50 an hour to anyone who waited near the bank wearing a blue, long-sleeved shirt, yellow safety vest, eye protection, and ventilator mask. The FBI is now trying to trace the ad. A similar ploy was used in the movie 'The Thomas Crown Affair,' in which an art thief wearing a trench coat and bowler hat steals a masterpiece from a museum as security guards are distracted by lookalikes that the crook had hired. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.6/10 - Popularity: 28% | Activity: 43% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Unique](https://www.trendhunter.com/unique) > [Pranks](https://www.trendhunter.com/pranks) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Online Crime Recruitment:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop advanced algorithms to detect and flag suspicious online recruitment activities for criminal activities. - **Deceptive Craigslist Ads:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Create a verification system for Craigslist ads to prevent fraudulent postings and protect users. - **Criminal Use of Decoys:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Design innovative security measures to identify and neutralize the use of decoys in criminal activities. ### Who This Affects Most - **Cybersecurity:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop cutting-edge technologies to combat cybercrime and protect users from online scams. - **Online Marketplace Platforms:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Integrate AI-powered algorithms to identify and remove fraudulent listings on online marketplace platforms, ensuring user safety. - **Physical Security Systems:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Create advanced surveillance systems to detect and track criminal activities, enhancing overall security in public spaces. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Fake ATM Pop-Ups](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fake-atm.md) - [Cosmetic Criminal Commercials](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/elfs-cosmetic-criminals.md) - [Beauty Crime Mockumentaries](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cosmetic-criminals.md) - [Cat-Themed Crime Podcasts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/purry-duty.md) - [Anti-Theft Phone Cases](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/unsnatchable-phone-case.md) - [Anti-Fraud Educational Ads](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fraud-fighters.md) - [Scam-Based Board Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/all-mod-cons.md) - [Provocative Guerrilla Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mwcurated.md) - [Athletic Apparel Interactive Billboards](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/shoplift-campaign.md)