A man tried to sell his gaming PC, but the sale quickly fell apart and robbers made off with his hardware. The incident, which left the seller understandably shaken, highlights the risk involved when private parties attempt to sell goods or services to strangers. Game-related merchandise isn't exempt just because people use it to have fun. Thieves have been known to steal consoles, games, and one Dallas man even stole $1,000 in Pokemon cards.
Unfortunately, because of their resale value and their appeal to people experiencing a wide range of economic circumstances, video games and hardware are an increasingly popular target for theft. Personal sales aren't the only ones affected, either. Numerous stories of robberies at retail locations have emerged over the years, including one incident when a 7-year-old punched a robber at a GameStop.
The man who was robbed while trying to sell his gaming PC related his experience in an emotional TikTok video filmed shortly afterwards as he collected himself in the front seat of his car. In the clip, TikTok user kly.pc recalls meeting with two men who suggested they head to a nearby apartment to test the PC. The seller proceeded to walk the potential buyers through the unit's cable management. One of the men then grabbed the PC and ran away. The fleet-footed seller gave chase and managed to catch the thief, who brandished a gun. The seller, a refugee from Ukraine with a regular social media presence, valued the hardware at $700. He explains that, "Maybe it's not too much, but for me, it's many." The details are different, but this is not the first time a streamer has been the victim of a robbery. Someone else recently robbed a Twitch streamer's video game store at gunpoint.
Video games provide many players with a way to escape life's harsh realities. They have become ubiquitous, which ensures the number of incidents where they play a role can only increase.
Not every story involving robbery and gaming ends on a sour note, thankfully. In 2017, some Pokemon GO players helped catch robbery suspects. Such accounts prove there are still plenty of good people in the world, gamers and otherwise. With any luck, the terrible incident will prevent potential future tragedy by reminding others to take additional precautions and stay safe when they sell off their unneeded hardware.
Photo by Scott Rodgerson on Unsplash
