Just got a "stolen" laptop, what do do?

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bigtiger · #1 Post by **bigtiger** » Wed Jun 06, 2007 9:30 pm

I just got a powerbook laptop from my local craigslist that looks like a stolen property. here is the story. Anybody knows what I should do. Sorry, long story.

I am looking to upgrade my current powerbook laptop. Last Sunday, somebody post a very good deal. A powerbook 15" 1.67G 80G 1G mem, Superdrive.

The guy claimed that it works only that the Power adapter is broken and the battery should have enough juice to test it out.

I asked for directions from the guy. he said that "Let me give you my address. Ohn, I do not know my address as I just moved. How about my working address?". I said fine. When I got there, his cellphone got no answer. 1 hour later, they guy called me claiming that "he did some delivery, blabla".

When I finally met him, he said he is currently a junior in RISD (a very prestigious design school). He got the laptop new from school for two years. Now he got a macbook pro and a Mac Mini.

When I tried to test the laptop. the computer could not power on. He said, maybe there is not enough battery. I said, no problem, I got car power interverter. The guy looks surprised. We tried a fews things and finally the laptop power on. Everything looks fine. But when I try the airport, he quickly said "I do not think there is wireless signal here" (read on, there is story here).

So finally, I got the laptop.

when I got home, I found that the computer got no serial number on the motherboard (professionally wiped out?). But the serial number at the battery compartment shows that this unit is still under warranty. The airport does not work (no signal). Now and often, it would not powerup.

There are tons of softwares in this unit. I think worths around $5000. Every software shows that it is registered to WIT.edu (Wentworth Inst of Technology?).

I dismantled the computer and found that: the airport antenna has been cut off. The latch is broken and the cable that controls sleep function cannot be properly on and off (thus the reason why sometime it cannot power on). I rewired (soldered) the antenna and disconnect the switch that controls sleep feature.

Now, I seriously suspect it is a stolen property. I emailed the guy. The guy got really nervous. Long story shot: he claimed that he is married and got one son. His wife's brother's buddy stolen 4 laptops from WIT and he bought one from him without knowing it is stolen. he said his wife is mad and the whole family want to solve the problem asap because if anybody got caught, he and his brother in law would got kicked out of school. Our talk and email finished like that yesterday.

Today, when I called. A lady picked the phone and sounds very cautious. She said the guy is her son. She said "is it a good deal?" "Then I donot understand what the issue is. The laptops is sold as is. no return". I explained to her that "your son has admitted to me that it is stolen property". Anyway, our discussion turns out that she does not care if it is a stolen property and they got it used online. Her son is not married.

Then I talked to "her son". He said that he is only 16 and he got the laptop from eBay as a new unit and had used it for two years without any problem. He said "just use it. If they cannot find it within two years, then most likely they will not find it."

Well, for now, I really do not know the truth. There is a chance that it is not a stolen property. They apparently refuse to take it back and I donot know if it is stolen property. Even if it is, I do not know who I should return it to.

What a story. Anybody know what I should do?

Website · #2 Post by **tfflivemb2** » Wed Jun 06, 2007 10:07 pm

Contact Apple....or the Institute. The police department can go after these people for it, and you "might" get your money back.

#3 Post by **ryengineer** » Wed Jun 06, 2007 10:08 pm

From all his story it's pretty evident he's *BS*ing you.

I suggest you ask him politely for a refund one more time and if he does not agree then tell him contactig the authorities on this matter would not be in his favor, especially for someone who's still 16i-sh.

I am sure someone else here can give you a better advice on this.

bigtiger · #4 Post by **bigtiger** » Wed Jun 06, 2007 10:17 pm

tfflivemb2 wrote:Contact Apple....or the Institute. The police department can go after these people for it, and you "might" get your money back.

The problem is that I am not pretty sure if it is a stolen. I called apple today claiming some warranty service. And Apple told me the unit is still under warranty and if there is any thing wrong, they can take it to depot for service. Apparently, the unit is not flagged as stolen.

Website · #5 Post by **tfflivemb2** » Wed Jun 06, 2007 10:29 pm

bigtiger wrote:The problem is that I am not pretty sure if it is a stolen. I called apple today claiming some warranty service. And Apple told me the unit is still under warranty and if there is any thing wrong, they can take it to depot for service. Apparently, the unit is not flagged as stolen.

Like IBM/Lenovo, they might not tell you over the phone...they wait until they have it in their hands....

I would still contact the police department, so that you are in the clear. If someone stumbles across this site, or someone from Wentworth might be a member here, and they notice it....the police might come looking for you, and charge you for being in possession of stolen merchandise.

bigtiger · #6 Post by **bigtiger** » Wed Jun 06, 2007 10:51 pm

Thanks. I will contact the guy (now not even sure what is his real name) to meet him this Saturday. The guy did say that it is possible to meet him this Saturday although I find I could trust him.

Kamika007z · #7 Post by **Kamika007z** » Thu Jun 07, 2007 12:13 am

Just be sure you proceed with caution when meeting him. Be safe.

Turbo Audi · #8 Post by **Turbo Audi** » Thu Jun 07, 2007 12:35 am

bigtiger wrote:Thanks. I will contact the guy (now not even sure what is his real name) to meet him this Saturday. The guy did say that it is possible to meet him this Saturday although I find I could trust him.

If I come home this weekend and you need some muscle I can come down to RI, take a few shots of Jack and get violent if need be.

#9 Post by **RealBlackStuff** » Thu Jun 07, 2007 3:25 am

Turbo Audi wrote:.. take a few shots of Jack and get violent if need be.

Maybe change your name from Turbo Audi to e.g. ShagNasty as well?

dsigma6 · #10 Post by **dsigma6** » Thu Jun 07, 2007 7:25 am

I was gonna recommend keeping it, but cooler (and smarter) minds prevailed.

Turbo Audi wrote:If I come home this weekend and you need some muscle I can come down to RI, take a few shots of Jack and get violent if need be.

You know you were going to get violent anyway, so you might as well put it to good use.

bigtiger · #11 Post by **bigtiger** » Thu Jun 07, 2007 7:28 am

Thanks for your offer TurboAudi. Yes, I think I might not meet this guy. This story sounds scary now. I just got an email from him. I am not sure if I want to post his message here. Anyway, I will summarize what he said.

his email is full of errors and it is like a person that has never got any sort of education.

He admits that the cellphone that he used to talk to me is a cellphone that he found (stolen?) in a club and the email is also from the cellphone. Of course, his name is also fake. He said he is an Irish Italian. Also, the phone might got deactivated any second.

He said that he is dishonest about everything. He knows the computer.

He also said that the computer was really bought off craigslist two years ago. He got no problem for the past two years.

Anyway, the story is kind of funny. I will talk to an attorney about what I should do. Any attorney type of person here? I am not sure if I should report him. All he uses are fake and it will be hard to trace him down.

lophiomys · #12 Post by **lophiomys** » Thu Jun 07, 2007 8:52 am

I do recommend you to try everything to track this guy down.
Don't get frustrated by a meagre chance.
Try to record his voice with your mobile phone ...

These guys do make mistakes or are already listed in police records...

In Austria police recently recovered a Stradivari violin, which was considered
as lost for good, because of a single finger print.

pianowizard · #13 Post by **pianowizard** » Thu Jun 07, 2007 8:58 am

Turbo Audi wrote:If I come home this weekend and you need some muscle I can come down to RI, take a few shots of Jack and get violent if need be.

I've met Pete and he's a big guy indeed. I live very close to RISD but ain't got no muscles, so I won't be able to help.

Turbo Audi · #14 Post by **Turbo Audi** » Thu Jun 07, 2007 9:16 am

pianowizard wrote:
Turbo Audi wrote:If I come home this weekend and you need some muscle I can come down to RI, take a few shots of Jack and get violent if need be.
I've met Pete and he's a big guy indeed. I live very close to RISD but ain't got no muscles, so I won't be able to help.

Thanks Kwoon, you sure know how to make a guy feel good...esp when I am lifting at Noon today.

...I am not that big, but my best friend is a monster...85lb dumb bell curls. I can only do 50-55's.

pianowizard · #15 Post by **pianowizard** » Thu Jun 07, 2007 9:31 am

Turbo Audi wrote:Thanks Kwoon, you sure know how to make a guy feel good

But I have yet to learn something more important: how to make a gal feel good!

Turbo Audi wrote:I am not that big, but my best friend is a monster...85lb dumb bell curls. I can only do 50-55's.

The heaviest object I can lift with one hand is my R50p. LOL!

egibbs · #16 Post by **egibbs** » Thu Jun 07, 2007 12:38 pm

Before somebody gets hurt for real and these boards get impounded as evidence in a criminal case...

Take the laptop to the police station and tell them the whole story. If it is stolen they should be able to find the original owner, as well as track down the creep.

If the cops say it ain't stolen and Apple says the warranty is good, then the only question is did you get it for a good price given the condition issues?

If you did then there is no problem. If not, then you need to determine if the risk from getting involved with a budding young criminal (who may have his own big friends, or sneaky little friends who can find out where you live and when you are not home) is warranted by the amount you were overcharged.

Ed Gibbs

Temetka · #17 Post by **Temetka** » Thu Jun 07, 2007 6:13 pm

Umm yeah. It sounds fishy to be sure. I would atleast contact an attorney and go that route. That way if the authorities need anything from you in a legal sense your lawyer is right there. Sometimes the cops can be dicks about people receiving stolen property even if they are trying to do the right thing and return it. (personal experience).

skitty4gzus · #18 Post by **skitty4gzus** » Thu Jun 07, 2007 8:45 pm

definitely do everything you can do to verify its legitimacy. communicate with the school, apple, the authorities. Its gonna cost you the same amount or more money to hire an attorney as you did pay for it. If your willing to get an attorney to keep this thing wouldn't it be much easier to just get rid of it. Just getting an attorney doesnt mean you keeping this laptop. I would contact the school, apple, and the police and if necessary have affidavits from these folks claiming your right to have it, and without a doubt give the police all the information you can about the seller and let them figure it all out.

Turbo Audi · #19 Post by **Turbo Audi** » Thu Jun 07, 2007 8:50 pm

Ok fine I won't beat anyone up.

bigtiger · #20 Post by **bigtiger** » Thu Jun 07, 2007 9:41 pm

Thanks everybody. As far as I know, local cops never try to do anything extra. They do not care. I called WIT and nobody cares to talk to me. I called apple and was told they are not aware of anything.

Also, as the serial number has been wiped off, I guess it is hard for me to report this unit to anybody. The piece of serial number inside the battery compartment means nothing.

Anyway, I will contact the guy to return the unit to him this Saturday. But I am afraid it might be an organized crime group.

#21 Post by **AlphaKilo470** » Thu Jun 07, 2007 9:55 pm

I wouldn't... Since WIT doesn't seem to care and the cops don't want to do anything, I'd just keep the laptop and use it for what it's worth until it breaks for good. I'd advise against dealing with criminals without proper backing (as in cops standing with batons on each side of you!).

Website · #22 Post by **tfflivemb2** » Thu Jun 07, 2007 10:12 pm

I am going to agree with AlphaKilo470 on this....if no one wants to help, I would avoid the persons that you bought it from....it doesn't sound like a very safe move...

bigtiger · #23 Post by **bigtiger** » Fri Jun 08, 2007 8:37 am

Thanks, tfflivembs and AlphaKilo470, I am kind afraid to meet that guy too. Too many lies and the cellphone is also a stolen. Unless Mr Turbo Audio wants to get violent, I probably will not meet that guy. Give me a few more days, I may find out a way to solve this issue. Man, I miss the Middle Ages when one knight can seem to solve everything.

#24 Post by **JaneL** » Fri Jun 08, 2007 9:05 am

I want to make sure this is perfectly clear. The next person to offer to help someone out using violence will be taking a vacation from this forum.

Jan_Hoho · #25 Post by **Jan_Hoho** » Fri Jun 08, 2007 11:37 am

Wow, I can't believe what I'm reading. BigTiger, apparently you haven't even talked to the cops yet, but you're pretty fast deeming them unwilling to help. It's very understandable that you're afraid of losing your computer/money; but this is stolen property, and knowing and still keeping the notebook means supporting that little creep, and you don't want that.

Do what's right. Go to the cops and talk to them. And don't contact the guy again.

That guy is fishy as hell, he is most certainly not organized crime but a little fish kind of thief who probably steals what he can get for some blow and some fun.

bigtiger · #26 Post by **bigtiger** » Fri Jun 08, 2007 2:57 pm

I have talked to a university cop. I have not talked to the town cops yet. They are not willing to track the computer down. I am not afraid to lose it. The computer currently is not in working condition. I need to spend about at least 100 to make it in fully working condition. Plus, if I am afraid to lose it, I would not even come to this forum for help. I worked with the town cops before. Once upon a time, our neighborhood is threatened by a mania guy and the cops didnot even try to arrest the creep.

I am thinking of working with some cops to track that guy down. Anybody know if the evidence is enough have him arrested? The serial number has been wiped off and I am afraid I may be in trouble if we cannot have him arrested. Even his so-called mom sounds so weired. I am afraid they may hunt me down.

I am considering to report the case to the town where that guy lives, anybody know how much time I will need to sacrifice? I am afraid I may have to work with the cops for extended period of time.

macuser · #27 Post by **macuser** » Fri Jun 08, 2007 4:18 pm

Turbo Audi wrote: If I come home this weekend and you need some muscle I can come down to RI, take a few shots of Jack and get violent if need be.

Now that is a friend........ Awsome

Or you can use a hammer like in the movie payback

hahaha

-macuser

Tholek · #28 Post by **Tholek** » Fri Jun 08, 2007 4:40 pm

nonny wrote:I want to make sure this is perfectly clear. The next person to offer to help someone out using violence will be taking a vacation from this forum.

#29 Post by **JaneL** » Fri Jun 08, 2007 4:43 pm

I'm not sure why people think I just write things to be writing them.

Turbo Audi · #30 Post by **Turbo Audi** » Fri Jun 08, 2007 7:51 pm

Ok ok, sorry for bringing it up...I'm 230 miles away from Ri at the moment anyway.

Just got a "stolen" laptop, what do do?

Just got a "stolen" laptop, what do do?

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