TLDR;
This YouTube video by Mr. Nightstares recounts three separate terrifying experiences involving online marketplaces like Craigslist. Each story details how seemingly innocent transactions turned into stalking, attempted abduction, and privacy invasion, highlighting the potential dangers of interacting with strangers online and the lasting psychological impact of such encounters.
- A free couch turns into a potential abduction.
- A cheap TV has a hidden camera.
- A dresser sale leads to stalking.
Free Couch, Must Pick Up [0:06]
The narrator, living in Riverside, California, was looking for a free couch on Craigslist to replace his old one. He found a gray sectional and arranged to pick it up from a man named David in Woodcrest. Upon arriving at the remote address, he was met by David and his brother Rick, who were unsettling and insisted on helping him carry the couch. They lured him towards the house under the pretense of getting cushions, but the narrator sensed danger and refused to enter. Dave and Rick then attempted to force him inside, but he fought back and escaped, running to the road where a passing driver helped him. The police investigated but found the house empty and the contact information untraceable. Weeks later, he was stalked by someone in a similar car to one parked at the house, and he spotted Rick at a grocery store, leading him to live in constant fear.
Samsung 55 in Like New [11:19]
In 2019, the narrator moved to New York and bought a used Samsung TV from Craigslist to make his new apartment feel more like home. After setting it up, he experienced strange occurrences like knocking on his door and a note saying "Nice TV." He discovered a hidden camera inside the TV that was streaming live video. The police traced the seller, John, who claimed he didn't know about the camera and had bought the TV at a yard sale. The police found no stored footage and the IP address led to a public Wi-Fi hotspot, so the case went cold. Weeks later, he received a package with a note saying "Sorry, wrong TV," leaving him with a lingering sense of unease and violation.
Solid Dresser, $50 [20:50]
While in college in Seattle, the narrator decided to sell an old dresser on Craigslist. A man named Mark responded, asking strange questions about whether she would be alone and the layout of the house. He came to pick up the dresser, making unsettling comments about the locks and security. Days later, the narrator heard suspicious noises outside her bedroom door and on the porch. A trail camera captured a figure lurking near her window. The police identified the situation as a potential stalking case, advising her to change the locks and move out. The narrator realized Mark had used the dresser sale to scout the house and her routine, paying for a "blueprint" of her life.