I remember selling a stereo using the Penny Saver about 20-years ago. A man and woman visited my home, looked at the stereo, fiddled with the knobs, then gave me $40 and took it away.
It was a pleasant experience. And for the vast majority of people, selling unwanted items through classifieds such as Craigslist, eBay and Kijiji is a pleasant experience.
Sadly, there are many crooks who use these services as well to commit crimes.
Over the past few days, a man by the name of Tim Bosma has been in the news. He went missing after taking 2 men on a test drive of a vehicle Tim posted on the online classified site called kijiji.
The men went to Tim’s home, most likely after having a conversation as to when it’d be convenient to see the vehicle. Tim told his wife he’d be back in a few minutes, left his home with the 2 men and was never seen again.
Today, almost a week after Tim’s disappearance, the police announced that a charred body was found and they believe it to be the remains of Tim.
I’m saddened to hear this. Truly saddened. Tim was a family man and attended church weekly. He was a Christian and by the sounds of it, well loved by his community and church family.
He was 32. He was a father. He had a wife. And he had a mother. A law-abiding, God-fearing man killed. What a complete and utter waste. Tim had so much life to live. He did not deserve this.
Anyone can become a victim. According to reports, Tim was a big guy. He was a smart man, yet he became a victim. The question then becomes “How can you continue to use online classifieds to make money without becoming a victim of a scam?” I offer some tips.
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