the whole thing sounds like a drug deal ~ maybe the deal went bad somehow and they split with his coins? who knows anything is possible! 
+where did he get the bitcoins to begin with? Being an underground currency dealer is a tough job! ~ Especially in NYC ! lol 
+where did he get the bitcoins to begin with? Being an underground currency dealer is a tough job! ~ Especially in NYC ! lol I don't know. The Craiglist ad dealt with the sale of Bitcoins, and not the sale of any sort of drugs. If he was dealing in drugs, I really doubt whether the victim would have gone to the cops to launch the complaint.
And regarding the source of the Bitcoins, don't be so negative. He might have purchased them in 2011 or 2012, when the exchange rates were really low, or he might have mined them himself.