A Broward County resident says he's lucky to be alive after being robbed and pistol-whipped and receiving 15 stitches.
"I was probably in shock because after he hit me. I was stunned," said Paul, who does not want to reveal his last name. "I know they kill people for less."
Paul is one of the latest victims to fall prey to South Florida thieves who pose as customers on Craigslist.
Paul, who buys gold, posted an ad on popular selling site. When the potential gold seller responded to him, Paul met him face to face.
The man was showing him the gold chain when he took the butt of the gun with his other hand and hit him above the eye, Paul told NBC Miami.
He said the crook then put him in a headlock with the gun pointed to his head and demanded cash and his chain or he'd kill him.
"We are concerned about this type of case," said Captain Ralph Suarez of the Miami Gardens Police Department.
The armed robbery in Miami Gardens took place on the heels of several similar cases where culprits used online services like Craigslist to lure unsuspecting victims.
Days before Christmas, a Marine in Deerfield Beach was shot after setting up a meeting to sell jewelry through Craigslist.
The recent crime trend has prompted police departments like Miami Gardens to warn citizens of the dangers.
"You're doing business with somebody on the computer that you don't know anything about," Suarez said.
On its site, Craigslist has safety tips and advises its users where to conduct business. The company says you should go to a public place and have a friend come along.
Paul met his would-be seller -- who he says drove a 2003 Infiniti G35 Coupe -- outside of an abandoned home. He said he usually goes to a public place.
"This time for some reason I didn't do that, and this is what can happen if you don't take precautionary measures," Paul said about his injuries.
Paul's decision cost him $1,500, a $4,000 chain, and gave him stitches.
"I can always recoup the money and chain, but you can't get a second chance at life," Paul said.
