15" powerbook on ebay

[NeoXY]

exactly what are the ramifications if its stolen?

584934553[/snapback]

nothing too obvious, but by the fact that it was NEVER OUT OF THE BOX...and he is selling it for so little money, might suggest it was stollen. And why is he trying to get rid of the Powerbook so quick?....I noticed many ASAPs in the emails in different forms, seems that he want this off his hands quick...this also suggest that it might be stolen. My suggestion is that don't be scared to ask questions, before sending him the money, ask a couple good questions, and if it is stolen, than he will supect that you notice and will drop the deal. If not, than one more point on why you should get it.

One time, I got 1GIG of RAM on eBay for $50CAD, I suspect it was stolen, so I asked a lot of questions, and after a good explination from the seller, I decided it was safe to buy and I did. Been happy with the buy since. so ASK QUESTIONS! Don't just pass it off because it could be a perfectly good deal...

[russ0943]

DUDE!, THIS IS A SCAM. trust me, i got burned on ebay and have done the research. Scammers are very fond of money orders and western union. I am serious, do not go through with this.

RUle of thumb: If it seems to good to be true, then it probably is.

As for the feedback rating. hah, the guy probably bought the account from a site like... stealthdivision or shadowcrew. These sites thrive on this stuff.

Wonder why the auction ended early? a) ebay smelled some scam, cause they are rather good at it or b)the guy purposely did it to send emails out to all the bidders and maybe even sell a few of these so called laptops.

Also, why would a guy in the UK want AUS? Maybe to make the auction look more appealing but also consider the fact that he might not be in the UK at all.

If you wanna know the low down on ebay scams read over www.paypalsucks.com , they have tons of stories about people getting scammed. site mainly deals with paypal but also with ebay.

*edit

looking over it again i noticed something else. The letter he sent ^above appears to be a template. Most scammers are in foreign countries and have broken english so they need these templates. Notice the following:

So, the final price is 2100 AUD for the Apple PowerBook G4 1.5GHz, 512mb, 80GB, CDRW/DVD-R including all shipping and insurance charges.

might as well read: So, the final price is <insert price> for the <insert scammed product> including all shipping and insurance charges.

One other thing i noticed as typing this:

From Western Union , you will receive a number (MTCN-Money Transfer Control Number), you must send me that number as soon as you have arranged the payment

this is the point where your money will be gone. And u can't get this back via WU.

srry for the long post but it really hurt the bank when i got burned and hate to see it happen again.

Edited November 17, 2004 by russ0943

[Freakz]

well i just sent him an email asking if i could use credit card or paypal.. lets see what happens

[noyb]

DO NOT DO IT!!!!

Its a scam and a common one, with Western Union there is no comeback and another thing to consider is his history, its comprised of items no more expensive than a pound and then suddenly he sells a powerbook. He's most likely part of some syndicate and there were a few doing similar scams maybe even him with Powerbooks and 23" Displays for silly prices with ebay actually having to step in to remove all the sales.

Again its a scam and an obvious one, do not do it by any means.

Edit: Where might you of heard this before.

[NeoXY]

that just furture prove my theory of him maybe.....stealed the Powerbook and trying to rid of it?...think about it...why would he sell SOMETHING NEW!...on eBay?

[Starcom826]

DO NOT DO IT!!!!

Its a scam and a common one, with Western Union there is no comeback and another thing to consider is his history, its comprised of items no more expensive than a pound and then suddenly he sells a powerbook. He's most likely part of some syndicate and there were a few doing similar scams maybe even him with Powerbooks and 23" Displays for silly prices with ebay actually having to step in to remove all the sales.

Again its a scam and an obvious one, do not do it by any means.

584934623[/snapback]

Well now now, some good deals can really be good. Back in the day when Visual Studio 6 was the latest and very expensive, I bought a legitimate copy of VS6 Professional for $300, a very good deal. Don't always just throw away a good deal, just take the necessary precautions, and it seems Freakz is being careful. He's asking us isn't he? ;)

[Freakz]

right, well what im going to do.. is absolutely grill him with questions... ill try pay through paypal.. or something like that if i go through with it.. definately no WU

[Freakz]

once again.. THANKS for your help guys, its good to talk to people that will actually help you out...

ill let you know when i know more!

[Starcom826]

Best of wishes. Hopes it works out for you.

[noyb]

Starcom & Freakz: read my edit link.

[russ0943]

i updated my post on the previous page. i noticed some other things about his letters. For ur info, paypal isn't completely safe. If you do end up going with paypal, make sure you don't have a CONFIRMED address with your account. scammers have to ship to one of these in order to do a chargeback on u.

[NeoXY]

right, well what im going to do.. is absolutely grill him with questions...

584934658[/snapback]

:laugh: :laugh: :laugh: ....hell yeah!!.....yeah....be careful, but don't pass on a good deal....

[russ0943]

here's a good idea, make him send you a picture with something specific in it and the laptop.

ex: please send me a picture of the laptop and put your hand on it with a peace sign. Just to make sure.

[Freakz]

hmmm looking more and more dodgy..

will try the picture thing

[Japlabot]

Scam

He wants money in advance and is his doing it through WESTERN UNION. Also the 'gift' thing would make it so there is no proof to get back to him for the transfer.

Going through Western Union is untraceable and has no insurance associated with it. Don't do it under any circumstance.

Only do Paypal and you will retract payment if you don't recieve it, at your door, in 7 days(or however long Paypal's insurance is). Do not accept any excuses even if UPS or whatever delay it.

If he won't accept doing things your way through Paypal, it's not worth comprimising to his terms, because you will get screwed, no doubt about it. If he was legitimately trying to sell it, he would do Paypal or whatever terms you say.

As far as it being stolen, if it is real. Who cares. As long as you get it as advertised and you don't get into trouble for it.

[russ0943]

noticed how many people say its a scam? When i sold my laptop, i had to meet the guy in person i was selling it to in order to get any money for it. ha, thats how careful some people are and you should be as well.

I also packed heat in that situation :D

[Freakz]

hahah okay what about this email..

geez hes desperate

Hi again,

Sorry, but I don't use PayPal ,I have used it and it didn't satisfied me. I only accept Western Union because is very fast.

I understand your concerns...

  But please take a good look at the situation:

  I really don't want to spend a few years in jail for  this amount of money (would you ?)

The laws are verry strict here and I really don't want  to put my ass in jail for a few bucks.

All i want is to make a good deal and to receive a  good rating from you.

Here is my propouse to make you feel safe:

You will send the money on my location.

You will send the money thru Western Union but you  will not send the money on my name.

You will put as the receiver name the name of your father or the name  of a friend.

You will tell me that name so I will be able to  verify if the money are there but I will not be able

to colect the money (you know that)

After you will receive the package you will give a  call to Western Union to change the receiver's name  into my name.

Please tell me if you agree.

Thank you.

Klaus

[Freakz]

my email to him in reply:

this is a very large transfer of money, using western union there is no guarentee that i will not be burned. I have asked around and i have been told that SCAMMER sellers use western union as the buyer dosent get a refund.

How do i know that you are not a scammer? Can you send me a photo of your hand making a piece sign next to the box of the laptop.

I would very much prefer to pay through paypal.. at this stage i will not buy the laptop through western union as the whole deal is seeming more and more dodgy

[russ0943]

looking less fishy due to the smooth english. I would still want to see the picture thing. Just for your info, your money isn't completely safe even though its not in his name. Western Union often doesn't even ask for ID!, as long as they have the MTCN thing, they can usually get the money.

*edit

excellent reply

one more thing, if u know how. check the IP on the email. Trace it. You might run into a problem if he is using ebays messenging service though. Just look at teh email and tell it to show the full header. Grab the IP and someone in here can get u more info. :cool:

[Starcom826]

On the countrary, I think the english is not smooth at all. In fact, it seems exactly like the template you described.

This part esepcially got me:

You will send the money on my location.

You will send the money thru Western Union but you will not send the money on my name.

You will put as the receiver name the name of your father or the name of a friend.

You will tell me that name so I will be able to verify if the money are there but I will not be able

It sounds unnatural in English.

You will send the money on my location? Does he mean to? Send the money on his name? And furthermore, he seems to be curteous and all of a sudden becomes commanding...you WILL...you WILL...it makes me suspicious. But, if he is willing to allow you to use a trustworthy person as an intermediary, by all means go for it. Just make sure he doesn't have you give him the password to the intermediate account to check it or something.

[Freakz]

>Hi again,

>

>    Thanks for your answer.

>

>    About the deal ,I m sorry because you feel like that about me.

>Now, if you are in my place to sell something,you'll take the risk

>to cheat people and have the police on your door in a few days?????I

>don't think so!!!I m in thisposition!!!!Liberty is more precious

>then everything in this world!!

>

>    I am a 50 year old man who owns his own successful business.  I

>have  been married to the same woman for 28 years and we have two

>grown suns who are successful in their own careers.  We are all

>college educated.  I didn't get to this stage in life by doing dumb

>things. I want to take this opportunity to asure you that there is

>nothing to be worried about this deal. I would never cheat you or

>swindle you!! I have a reputation to protect and a good Christian

>and I do not want to be imprisoned. You have my word and good faith

>on the fact that I'll keep my end of the bargain. I have never lied

>and cheated anyone. I will not risk my career, my freedom and my

>future for anything in the world! I would rather close this deal

>with other person than to know that you'll be very stressed hoping

>that I am a honest person, until you receive your powerBook. Your

>peace of mind is a lot more important than this deal!!!

>

>If you decide not to go through with it there is no problem. I got

>quite a few offers left. Please get back to me and let me know what

>you decide.Thank you for your time and interest. Whatever you decide

>I wish you good luck.

>

>    Regards,

>Klaus

it is not a matter of trusting you as such, but more of the way the deal is presented. I would be much much much happier if i could pay through paypal!

also is it possible to have a photo taken with the box.. with you making a piece sign, so as to prove you have the laptop in possession..

i respect your honesty, but still need to cover my interests

thanks

Bronte

so either he is really dodgy and making this stuff up.. or a 50 yr old man who is rather strange

[russ0943]

good call, i was mainly looking at only the first 2 paragraphs. And like i said, once u give up the MTCN number u might as well say bye bye to ur $ if it is a scam.

*edit

wow, this is looking more like the real thing. Clearly smooth english on this one. IMO, i would still NOT go through with this.

Hell, I am a 50yr old man and also have a family that is very successful. I have worked at my job for over 20 years and am also a dedicated christian. I have never screwed anyone over in my carreer and don't plan on it. Wait, did you really just believe that. I'm actually 21 and in college. Just to prove a point.

Edited November 17, 2004 by russ0943

[Freakz]

powerbook or no powerbook.. i find this rather exciting

[Freakz]

yeh mate i know..

thats why im still looking for proof *sigh*

[russ0943]

technically, wouldn't you still be getting a deal if you flew over there and picked it up personally? i mean really.

eh, maybe. don't know how much that would really cost.

*edit

the picture thing would really help here.

offer to do it via an escrow service.