Police: Scammers using counterfeit money to 'buy' computers from sellers on Craigslist

BOTHELL, Wash. -- The Bothell Police Department has a new warning for people who buy high-end technology from second-party sellers.

At least two people told investigators they were scammed out of thousands of dollars using Craigslist.

The seller in one instance did nearly everything right but he still lost his money.

He sold the computer in person in a public place, but he didn’t realize the $1,700 he got for his computer was counterfeit.

“It sucks, you know, it’s not fun,” said victim Laurence Schwarz. “I’ve done business on Craigslist for years and this is the first time I’ve ever gotten taken.”

Schwarz posted an ad on Craigslist for his MacBook computer back in January, and in days he had a buyer. But he didn’t know that the cash the buyer used was phony.

“Tried to deposit them and the ATM still wouldn’t take it,” he said. “I thought, gee, what’s going on here? That’s when I looked at the bills and realized they all had the same serial number.”

Cops said he’s not alone -- another person selling a MacBook on Craigslist also got scammed with fake bills. Each note had the same serial number on them.

“It doesn’t take a nuclear physicist to understand that’s pretty major felony you’re talking about,” he said. “The U.S. Treasury doesn’t take too kindly to people making their own money.”

The Bothell Police Department is sounding the alarm that the fake bills are in circulation. Sgt. Ken Seuberlich suggests a surprising tactic to make sure others aren't victimized.

“It’s worth the effort to go to an office supply store and pick up a counterfeit pen,” he said. “They just make a mark on there to make sure it’s real currency or not.”

Schwarz’s homeowner's insurance covered a portion of his computer’s value, but he’s still out hundreds of dollars. Now he wants others to know that scammers could target anyone.

“You feel like a knucklehead to get taken like that,” he said.

Police said it’s also a good idea to take a friend along with you when meeting in public when making a transaction just in case the buyer needs a witness to describe the bad guy.