A Columbus man is indicted for allegedly running a video game console scheme on Craigslist.
Robert C. White, 33, of Columbus, was recently indicted by a Franklin County grand jury on one count of felony theft and 10 counts of telecommunications fraud.
According to investigators, White posted dozens of Craigslist ads outside of Ohio, including Illinois, Michigan, New York, and Wisconsin, in 2010 and 2011 for video game consoles.
White allegedly duped victims into buying the consoles by telling them that an ex-girlfriend had given them to him. After victims allegedly paid him between $180 and $250, White never delivered the video game consoles.
Detectives at the Worthington Police Department were able to trace many of the transactions as part of their investigation.
White is currently free on bond in an unrelated felony case.
Last July, Attorney General Mike DeWine filed a civil lawsuit against White and another man. According to the lawsuit, they allegedly offered PlayStation 3 systems (PS3), PS3 games, and Boost Mobile phones and phone cards via Craigslist posts that primarily targeted out-of-state consumers. Their posts indicated they were Ohio residents, but they told potential out-of-state buyers that they previously lived in the buyer's state to gain their trust.
Investigators said they usually requested that payment be made through a wire transfer service, such as Western Union or MoneyGram. Once the buyers completed the payment, the men allegedly did not deliver the products or provide refunds.
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