[muzof2]

Hi Everyone.

Issues Publishing, LLC, a publishing firm, based out of Massachusetts, is selling their used 17 Inch Powerbook G4s. There are 7 of them available. All are used units with Apple Warranties. The following are the specs:

1GHz PowerPC G4 Processor
1 GB of PC2700 DDR RAM
NVIDIA GeForce 440 Go
1440 x 900 - TFT Active Matrix 17" Display
Bluetooth 1.1 & 802.11g AirPort Extreme
60GB Ultra ATA/100 Hard Drive
DVD-R/CD-RW SuperDrive
FireWire 800 MBps Port
Futuristic Backlit Keyboard
10/100/1000 Base-T Ethernet
Interface S-Video Composite Output
56K V.92 Data Fax Modem
1.18" thin and 6.8lbs.

Includes the following: Mac OS X Jaguar, AC adapter, Modem Cable. All of them come in original boxes and documentation.

If you are interested in buying now, email me or call me at 508-287-0385 and I will sell it to you for $2750. The only form of payment accepted would be a check written out to the company.

These notebooks will ship 3 weeks, after payment has been received.

Sincerely,
Muzamil Akram
Issues Publishing, LLC.
muzamil@issue-online.com

[dettociao]

http://forums.macnn.com/showthread.p...hreadid=164641


Same questions.

[Robster1958]

let's see:

switchboard search turns up nothing under business name, person name, phone number. business name does not show up in google search.

"whois" domain name search shows:

Registrant:
Muzamil Akram (GZTHKDEBKD)
C/O Saudi Aramco
PO Box 497
Rastanura, EP 31311
SA

Domain Name: ISSUE-ONLINE.COM

Administrative Contact:
Muzamil Akram (20171698O) c02makr1@HOTMAIL.COM
C/O Saudi Aramco
PO Box 497
Rastanura, EP 31311
SA
966-3-667-3202 fax: 966-3-667-3202
Technical Contact:
Network Solutions, Inc. (HOST-ORG) namehost@WORLDNIC.NET
21355 Ridgetop Circle
Dulles, VA 20166
US
1-888-642-9675 fax: 123 123 1234

Record expires on 15-Feb-2009.
Record created on 23-Feb-2003.
Database last updated on 15-Jun-2003 23:21:52 EDT.

Domain servers in listed order:

NS1.WANLOGISTICS.NET 63.209.114.2
NS2.WANLOGISTICS.NET 63.209.114.11


I think I will buy two!!!!

[muzof2]

Yes, the domains were both registered as the permanent address as to where I live is the one listed with Network Solutions. And if you do look @ http://www.macissues.com. That is the business we run, it used to be called MacNut Magazine. I am currently residing in Massachusetts, and we have a federal EIN under the corporate name Issues Publishing, LLC which has been approved by the State of Massachusetts. There is no reason to believe that this is a scam. The phone # listed is a cell phone #. The registered address for the business with the state is 285 Old Westport Rd. North Dartmouth, MA 02747. You can call the Secretary of Commonwealth of Massachusetts in Boston, and verify that Issues Publishing, LLC does exist and it is a business owned by me, with the registered address above. Or even further you can even call the IRS yourself, and verify all this information, and you will find all this to be true.

And if you do a google search for my personal name and MacNut Magazine my name will pop up.

Any other information needed to verify that this is NOT a scam?

You are doing business with a honest businessman and not a scammer. I apologize to the people for making them conclude that this is a scam. I am honestly, offering a good deal on the PowerBooks, and the Dual G4.

Sincerely,

Muzamil Akram
Issues Publishing, LLC.
muzamil@issue-online.com
muzamil@macissues.com

[Colin Davis]

Would you be willing to sell in person? I'm looking ot upgrade from an 867, and would be interested in one of your machines, if you might want to meet some place. I live in Massachusetts as well, and would be interested in working something out.

Colin

[Robster1958]

sorry Muzof....but I'm was just so annoyed as a seller of a TiBook as to what's going on in the eBay world of fraud.

[muzof2]

Hi.

Well, we are reducing the prices down to $2500. If anybody is interested.

Sincerely,

Muzamil Akram
Issues Publishing, LLC.
muzamil@issue-online.com

[ae86_16v]

Are they still available? Do I still have to wait a couple of weeks for them to ship?

[wilsonX]

Originally posted by muzof2:
Hi Everyone.


These notebooks will ship 3 weeks, after payment has been received.

Sincerely,
Muzamil Akram
Issues Publishing, LLC.
muzamil@issue-online.com

Why...Why 3 weeks after payment is received, do you have to wait so long to ship something already in your possession? As soon as payment clears...which if its a check... would be 5 days after receiving payment, you should be able to ship immediately thereafter. Please explain.

[Stoli4466]

I realize that this thread is a bit old but I wanted to post a warning to anyone that way come this way. I am currently trying to get the computer I paid for ($2550.00 plus $30.00 shipping) from Muzamil Akram of Issues Publishing, LLC.

I sent the check on July 7th via FedEx, it was received on the 9th and it cleared on the 11th. Muzamil was very responsive to my emails while setting up the deal (same day or next day responses) but became very unresponsive after he received my check.

After my check cleared he told me that the computer would ship on July 16th. It didn't. He then said he was out of town and it would ship the next week (July 20th - 26th). It didn't. And he stopped responding to any emails I sent until I threatened legal action. He then sent an email saying I would hear from his "legal department" to work things out. I am still waiting to hear from them.

By the way, if you call his office phone you just get voice mail (I have left messages but received no response) and his cell phone just gets you an automated message that says the subsriber is unavailable or out of the area.

Bottom line. Muzamil has my money and all I've gotten is the run around. I would never do business with this guy again.

[macnnhelpme]

Man that stinks. No offense, but this looked questionable from the get-go. New user, no posts, wants payment upfront, and is offering an incredibly good price on a Powerbook.

I wish you the best of luck.

[ae86_16v]

Yeah, at that time, it sounded like a really good deal. But common sense came over me. I am sorry, I hope that you get your money back some how. Goodluck.

It sucks big time that you can't trust anybody any more.

[macnnhelpme]

It sucks big time that you can't trust anybody any more

Ain't that the truth. They should come out with a set of laws with dollar amounts for people that commit fraud via internet sales. Heck, maybe they already do, but if they don't have them, they should.

I've gotten jipped twice in the past two months. I've tighted down both my buying AND selling standards considerably as a result.

[wilsonX]

File with the US Postal Service. Its mail fraud. Go to their website. I did this for a recent auction and was just contacted by them. According to the Postal Inspector spoke with, the seller in my case has done this, "a lot". And that's why my claim got moved up their list. Good luck, I can't stand this fraud crap!

[Stoli4466]

Originally posted by wilsonX:
File with the US Postal Service. Its mail fraud. Go to their website. I did this for a recent auction and was just contacted by them. According to the Postal Inspector spoke with, the seller in my case has done this, "a lot". And that's why my claim got moved up their list. Good luck, I can't stand this fraud crap!

Thanks for the advice on the US Postal Service. I'm doing everything I can to climb up this guys rear end and get my money back or make his life miserable doing it.

I've filed a complaint with the Better Business Bureau and I've found out who the company's (Issues Publishing) registered agent is. With that info I'm going to sue to get the money back. I'll also be alerting the local law enforcement in North Dartmouth, Mass. (where the company is).

I really looked into the guy and it all seemed legit. He has an on-line magazine business (which he started at the age of 14), he was an honor student (he's only 19 years old now) and he's going to college. And he and the business ARE registered with the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

I'll post when this is resolved.

I don't think I'll be buying anything of this worth over the net from a stranger again. Sucks, but once bitten...

[MattiMattMatt]

Many red flags --

incorporation does not establish legitimacy, and presenting incorporation info to establish legitimacy only underscores his failure to provide legitimate business references, or even basic information;

too many names;

"the lady doth protest too much;"

the splash page for "issue on-line" appears to have no purpose outside of using it as a bogus reference for an email address -- reinforced by the nonsensical "i" words that appear in the flash animation and look like they were randomly and casually selected them from the dictionary;

it appears as if he is trying to create the appearance of a real business to use as a cover for another enterprise;

so what is the other enterprise?

Either outright theft,

or deception and fraud:

E.g. He is using the money you send him to purchase the promised items that he does not yet, and may never have.

I'm not sure which or how many laws he is breaking, but it's probably a whole bunch. If you are one of the people who has sent him money and received nothing in return, you should immediately contact a lawyer and take action.

Muzamil Akram: I don't believe the protections of a Limited Liability Corporation shield you and your personal assetts from what may come. You too may need the services of a lawyer with more expertise than the one who has advised you to date. If you are only 19, and in college, you may be on the virge of ruining a good portion of your life. Why not stop a process (i.e. send computers, or return money asap) before this gets out of your control and you get in serious trouble

-MattiMattMatt

[phabfive]

Track him down and give him a Chicago stomp. We can bring him back to New York and hang him up as a decoration.

I hate losers like that...

[ae86_16v]

Originally posted by Stoli4466:


I don't think I'll be buying anything of this worth over the net from a stranger again. Sucks, but once bitten...

This is exactly what I am talking about. . . . It ruins the experience for the rest of us. I mean I sell and buy a lot of stuff online, now I can't even trust anyone unless it is done in person.

It sucks. Because so much more could be accomplish if people actually trust the system.

[gorickey]

This sounds identical almost to "JC Morris" from back in the day...

That whole fraud scandal brought on this site:

http://www.jcmorris.com

[ashVID]

There are several things can do... if he goes to college, contact the campus police, contact YOUR local police and state attourney general AND his, fill out a fraud report with the FBI cybercrime unit in addition to the USPS mail fraud form. Print everything out and get the police reports and make copies and send it registered mail to his address... He will either move to Jamaica or try to work it out. You could also tell the RIAA he some MP3s on his computer while you are at it... ;P



ash =o)

[AssassyN]

Being careful, checking references, and staying in constant contact are musts when buying/selling online...just being smart helps out a lot. Don't go into ANY deal w/ any doubts.

[x user]

Personal rule of business for online:

Deal only with users who have been registered for several months and have established a pattern for posting in things other than sales! For instance, if he's selling a Powerbook, i'd expect him to have posted something in the PB forum before. Deals that are too good to be true are, expect to save a couple hundered through the forum MAX (over e-bay).

To avoid fraud on e-bay, don't buy from people with 'cookie cutter' ads that don't show images of the actual machine. Try to find a seller that doesn't sell a hell of a lot of mahines, but just a normal e-bay'r that buys normal stuff normally!

[liquidh2o]

a good reference for online traders is www.heatware.com it's popular with quite a few of the pc fs/t forums.

I'd suggest using it after making a trade/sale/purchase, at the very least it gives you some type of reference to backup that you're a good trader, and gives some reassurance to others as well.

[ae86_16v]

Originally posted by x user:
Personal rule of business for online:

Deal only with users who have been registered for several months and have established a pattern for posting in things other than sales! For instance, if he's selling a Powerbook, i'd expect him to have posted something in the PB forum before. Deals that are too good to be true are, expect to save a couple hundered through the forum MAX (over e-bay).

To avoid fraud on e-bay, don't buy from people with 'cookie cutter' ads that don't show images of the actual machine. Try to find a seller that doesn't sell a hell of a lot of mahines, but just a normal e-bay'r that buys normal stuff normally!

Good advice.

[lipstick.smears]

DAMN! What a ****tard! sorry to hear about you not getting your product

[EGPoulin]

I second the Heatware database. I've never posted here much, but I do have a forsale thread that is backed by my references at heatware (and ebay, and Ars Technica's Beerology.com).

So far building an online rep like that is worth it's weight in gold.

With that, sorry to hear that this guy is such an ass. I'm right in Boston, where is he located? Dartmouth MA. If it was closer to Boston, I'd take a drive there for ya.

Anyone here in southern MA?

I really hate scammers .....

[DeathToWindows]

If I was of driving age... I'd deal with this scum (or find someone to do so)

[Stoli4466]

I have good news. Today I received and deposited a cashiers check refunding the full amount I sent for the 17" G4 Powerbook ($2580.00). When the check clears I will post the full story here.

Thanks to everyone for their thoughts and advise.

As Governor Schwarzenegger would say, "I'll be back"...soon.

[macnnhelpme]

Man that is awesome to hear. Glad it looks like it worked out for you!

[AssassyN]

WHOA!

Either this guy got real honest real quick, or he was scared to death and simply refunded your money to avoid legal entanglments...either way, CONGRATS! I'd be jumping for joy, you could've gotten royally had.

[ae86_16v]

Originally posted by AssassyN:
WHOA!

Either this guy got real honest real quick, or he was scared to death and simply refunded your money to avoid legal entanglments...either way, CONGRATS! I'd be jumping for joy, you could've gotten royally had.

Yeah that is weird. Good job. Keep us posted.

[Stoli4466]

I know this posting is long but I hope it answers most of the questions people might have and it also contains info that others who have sent Muzamil money should find useful.

The check refunding the money I sent Muzamil Akram for a 17” G4 Powerbook cleared yesterday. That closes this case for the time being. However it doesn’t close the cases that several other people have against Muzamil. I was lucky in that I was able to extract the name of his “legal representation” after I sent him an email in which I told him the following:

1) A complaint has been filed with the Better Business Bureau.
2) I will be filing a law suit against you and Issues Publishing, Inc.
3) I know that your registered agent is National Registered Agents, Inc., in Boston.
4) A complaint will be filed with the police in North Dartmouth, Boston and San Francisco.
5) The U.S. Postal Service will be informed and possible postal fraud charges will be filed.
6) The INS will be contacted.
7) The Saudi embassy will be contacted.
8) The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth is being notified (They should find it interesting that you are conducting illegal business on campus. I know that your business address is a P.O. Box on the campus.).
9) The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth campus police are being notified.
10) The Internet Fraud Office at the FBI is being notified.
11) The State Attorney Generals in Massachusetts and California are being notified.
12) I am also contacting various professors and administrators at UMass Dartmouth and notifying them of your activities.
13) I have posted in the threads that you started on Mac Forums and MacNN Forums saying what has happened with this transaction.

He spoke several times of his “legal department” getting in contact with me. Of course this didn’t happen. He also offered me a deal in which he would pay back my money in monthly payments that would continue until December (I would end up with $3500, because of the inconvenience he had caused me. He’s such a giver.), 2% of the profits in his company and free advertising in his 2 online mags. I, of course, wasn’t interested in any kind of “deal,” I wanted my $2580 back right now.

After he offered this “deal” is when I sent the above list in an email and demanded the name and contact info of his legal representation so I could contact them myself. It turns out the name he gave me is an old teacher of his from when he was 14-16 years old. This man is a teacher at a school in Michigan and seems to be a very good guy. He called himself Muzamil’s “state-side Dad.” He has remained very close with Muzamil and his family since first meeting him. He is the one that sent me the cashiers check after a long conversation in which I recounted the whole episode and what I was going to do to Muzamil (the above list) if I didn’t see my money very soon. It’s money out of his own pocket.

I hope he doesn’t need to cut many more checks but I have heard of a few more people out there waiting for computers. By the way, if you are one of those people post your email address and I will send you the teacher’s contact info. I don’t want to post it as he’s a good guy and I don’t want him getting random calls.

I learned of a few others from an Officer John Souza of the University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth campus police. There is an ongoing investigation of Muzamil and his internet practices. He is using the campus address as his business address and his business phone is a school number. If you are having problems with Muzamil or have info that the officer could use his phone number is 508-910-6499.

By the way Muzamil’s current location is: Rastanura, Saudi Arabia. His contact phone is: 96637943854. He says he will be returning to Massachusetts on August 25th.

In all of his postings Muzamil says that the computers he is selling are machines he purchased for his company and he’s now selling them because his business is not doing well. After my threatening email he said that he was actually getting the machine through a guy on Yahoo! Auctions and that this time (he claims to have completed this kind of transaction before without any problems) the guy disappeared with his money and that is why I hadn’t gotten my computer yet. This is the story he is also telling others who have sent him money and to the good teacher who sent my money back to me. At this point I wouldn’t trust anything the guy says.

Anyway, that is where things stand. If you have sent money to Muzamil please post here so we can get a better grasp of his dealings.

I’ll answer any other questions anyone has if I can. Again, thanks for all the support, advise and offers to kick Muzamil’s ass.

[AssassyN]

After reading all that, I'm just speechless...so glad you got your money, you are so amazingly lucky.

[jonasmac]

Good for you, dude.

--jonas

[ae86_16v]

So is the Prof paying out of his own pocket?

[macnnhelpme]

You are incredibly lucky, and I'm glad you got your cash back!

[OptimusG4]

I never trust a name I cant pronounce, esp. from another country. No offense to those that live here in the states, but its sh*t like this that keeps me from using online auctions.

[Liquidity X]

Killer background work. Glad to see you got yer flow back.

[G-mac]

Wow! Great job getting on the case and solving it. This info will definitely help people who were scammed by this guy and other "artists."

Congrats on your success!