Craigslist has always felt like a digital wild west—a place where you can find anything from a used blender to a last-minute job… or something much, much darker. In this post, we dive into five real Craigslist horror stories, each inspired by actual cases and anonymous user experiences that prove sometimes the price you pay isn’t listed in the ad.
From eerie free furniture to unsettling “no experience necessary” jobs, these tales aren't just urban legends—they're rooted in terrifying truths.
1. Free Couch, No Strings Attached
What could go wrong with picking up a free couch? For one man, it was everything. He found a seemingly normal listing and drove out to a quiet suburban street to grab the furniture left on the porch. But after dragging it home and flipping it over, he discovered more than springs and stuffing—he found evidence of someone else's screams.
This story was inspired by reports of Craigslist users vanishing after responding to “free” listings—one of which ended with an active missing persons investigation in Portland.
2. Roommate Needed – No Deposit
A dream deal on a new living arrangement turns into a claustrophobic nightmare. A young woman moved into a spare room in a large, quiet house. The roommate seemed friendly, a little too friendly. But when she began finding signs of someone entering her locked room while she slept—and noticed small holes drilled into her vent covers—she realized she wasn’t just being watched. She was being recorded.
This horror story reflects a disturbing trend of hidden surveillance cases linked to roommate ads on Craigslist, including several caught only after months of spying.
3. Help Wanted: Delivery Driver (No Experience Necessary)
Many have taken sketchy gigs when money gets tight—but one man’s one-night job nearly became his last. A Craigslist ad offered cash to deliver a sealed crate to a rural drop site, with no questions asked. But when he heard movement from inside the box, his curiosity overpowered his orders. What he found wasn’t a package—it was something living, and it wasn’t supposed to be.
This tale echoes stories like the LaFerrara murder case and Craigslist job scams that lure people into illegal activity without them knowing—until it’s too late.
4. ISO Babysitter: Nights Only
Teen babysitters are a horror staple for a reason—but what if the real horror was the child you never saw? A girl accepted an overnight babysitting job where the parents insisted she didn’t need to check on the sleeping child. But strange noises from the attic and a locked nursery door led her to a chilling truth: the child had been dead for weeks.
This story draws from several anonymous reports of fake babysitting ads used to lure women to remote homes, often under bizarre or dangerous pretenses.
5. Looking for Someone Who Doesn’t Ask Questions
The ad said: “$500 for one night of work. Must not ask questions.” It sounded shady, but the man needed money. The task was simple: help carry a heavy object wrapped in a tarp and clean a basement floor. When he realized the object was a body, he tried to back out—but they had his name, his address, and everything he'd touched on video.
This story is based on multiple real Craigslist job scams where people were unknowingly used as accomplices in criminal activity, including body disposal.
Why These Stories Matter
Craigslist remains a powerful tool—but also a lawless place where anonymity often comes with danger. These true horror stories aren’t meant to demonize the platform, but to highlight the very real risks of blind trust when dealing with strangers online.
Whether you’re looking for a deal, a job, or a fresh start—trust your gut. If something feels off, it probably is. And if a deal seems too good to be true? It might be your last.
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