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Ukrainian scam?
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Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2001
Status: Offline
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Aug 3, 2004, 01:29 PM
 
Hello,

Check out this place:

http://www.applecompany.us/

Looks like a scam, no? My Mom was thinking about buying a PB 17" from this outfit and I told her to steer clear. Reminds me of that other scam website that got shut down not too long ago. Thoughts, comments?

Thanks.
     
Professional Poster
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Status: Offline
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Aug 3, 2004, 01:34 PM
 
Buy a 17" PowerBook from Apple and I doubt you'll get scammed.

And those prices are too good to possibly be true. It's DEFINITELY a scam.
     
Mac Elite
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: columbus, oh
Status: Offline
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Aug 3, 2004, 01:46 PM
 
From the Ukraine with a .us extension? Nice.
"Another classic science-fiction show cancelled before its time" ~ Bender

15.2" PowerBook 1.25GHz, 80GB HD, 768MB RAM, SuperDrive
     
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Boulder, CO
Status: Offline
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Aug 3, 2004, 01:59 PM
 
I got an email from them when I posted on craigslist.org... definitely a scam.
     
Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2001
Status: Offline
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Aug 3, 2004, 02:20 PM
 
Check out this email she got explaining how to buy. I like the part about the free airport basestation:

From: "Apple Company Management" <manager@applecompany.us>
> Date: Tue Aug 3, 2004 12:01:55 AM US/Eastern
> To: "Andrea Gunn" <stargunn@comcast.net>
> Subject: Re: Brand new Powerbook G4 17" 1.5Ghz/2Gb/80Gb
> Hdd/SuperDrive/128 Video - $1300
> Attachments: There are 4 attachments
>
>
> Greetings from Apple Company!
>
> Feel free to visit us at : http://www.applecompany.us
>
> We are glad to inform you, that 7 of the Apple PowerBook's G4 17"
> currently left in stock. Each unit cost is only $1300 US Dollars
> including all shipping and handling charges.
>
> We do ship the products worldwide,
> and FedEx will be used as a courier for the delivery.
>
> The method for the delivery is Express!
>
>
> The total for 1 Apple PowerBook G4 17" is :
>
> $1300 US Dollars transferred for the Apple PowerBook G4
> delivered by your door within 3 business days.
>
> The original pictures of the merchandise are also included
> with this message as an .jpg format files.
>
> ( They show the same similar system you will be getting,
> not the right one you are ordering as it will be factory
> sealed and in unopened box).
>
>
> Here are the complete specs for the system you are interested in :
>
> ________________________________
>
> Apple PowerBook G4 17" 1.5 GHz
> ________________________________
>
> Display Type:
> 17" TFT active matrix
>
> Input Device(s)
> Type:
> Keyboard, trackpad
>
>
> OS Provided:
> Apple MacOS X 10.3 "Panther" preinstalled
> Software Included:
> Drivers & Utilities, Microsoft Internet Explorer,
> Adobe Acrobat Reader, FAXstf, EarthLink,Apple QuickTime,
> Apple iTunes, Apple Hardware Test, Apple Mac OS X Mail,
> Apple iPhoto,GraphicConverter, OmniOutliner, OmniGraffle,
> PixelNhance,Snapz Pro X, Apple iMovie, Apple iChat,
> Apple iCal, Apple iDVD, Art Directors Toolkit
>
> Optical Storage
> CD-RW/ DVD-RW
>
> Power
> Power Device:
> Power adapter - external
> Voltage Required:
> AC 100/240 V ( 50/60 Hz )
>
> Processor:
> Motorola PowerPC G4 1.5 GHz with 128MB Graphics Memory
>
> RAM
> Installed Size:
> 2 GB
>
> Storage Hard Drive:
> 1 x 80 GB 5200 RPM - portable - internal
>
> Telecom
> Analog Modulation Protocol:
> ITU V.92
> Max Transfer Rate:
> 56 Kbps
>
> Video
> Graphics Processor / Vendor:
> ATI MOBILITY RADEON 9700
>
> Warranty
> Service & Support:
> 1 year warranty
> Service & Support Details:
> Limited warranty - 1 year
> Technical support - phone consulting - 3 months
> __________________________________________________ _____________________
> __
>
> SPECIAL OFFER WITH AN ORDER OF PB G4 17" IS AVAILABLE FOR YOU NOW!
> __________________________________________________ _____________________
> __
>
> Following specials will be included with the package,if you will be
> one of the first 5 customers,placed an order for it :
>
> AIPORT-BASESTATION AND ADDITIONAL 2ND BATTERY,BLACK LEATHER CARRYING
> CASE AND DVI TO ADC ADAPTOR INCLUDED IN PACKAGE FOR FREE!
>
> __________________________________________________ _____________________
> __
>
> I represent a Ukrainian company named Apple Group EXPORTING
> and IMPORTING, which is a part of a European trading companies
> connection.
> __________________________________________________ _____________________
> __
>
> REASONS FOR THE LOW PRICE, UNIT AND COMPANY HISTORY
> __________________________________________________ _____________________
> __
>
> All products are legitimate. Items were originally purchased
> through US authorized reselling party. Such low prices were met only
> for truly great volume order of 200-500 pieces of G5's, G4's and
> other laptop bundles,TV displays,LCD's and digital products.
>
> They were purchased by the CybernINC which is one of our current
> subsidies and were all ranged for the whole Ukrainian market range.
> After almost all of the stocks have been spread over the stores,
> there was little stock of bundles left which were being hold
> especially for this sale,as a CyberNIC and Apple Group Connection
> are doing their best , to promote our new, fast growthing company,
> called Apple Company.US .
>
> The products we have for sale now, have not passed Ukrainian customs
> charges, so they could not be sold within borders of our country.
> That is the main reason for low prices you see, we just have to
> sell them back from the country with almost same prices as
> purchased,not making any profit.
>
>
> Why deal with us :
>
> We are an authorized Dealer!
>
> We are not a new or one time seller.
>
> We sell many big ticket items including monitors,
> plasma displays, digital cameras,laptops etc.
> and we consistently receive positive feedback.
>
> We ship direct to your door from the distributor.
>
> We insure everything we ship.
>
> All of our units are covered by manufacturers full warranty.
>
> And at least, if you would still like to check our company for
> legitimacy,
> you may always ask as for a positive feedback and some references from
> your area.
>
> ______________________________________________
>
> HOW TO PLACE AN ORDER WITH OUR COMPANY
> ______________________________________________
>
> Basically, there are 4 steps to completely process your order with
> Western Union method.
>
> First, you have to send us an email message informing us that you
> are willing to place an order with our company,and notify which of
> the products offered you are ordering.
>
> Information you will have to send us :
>
> Complete name for the shipping and ship-to address,your contact phone
> numbers and best time you may be reached at later time if we need to
> confirm anything regarding your order.
>
> After I get your details,the initiating receipt will be sent to you.
> It contains the information on products you are ordering and the total
> for your order.
>
>
> The second step. After getting the receipt, you have to go to the
> Western Union office in your location,and set up a money transfer
> under the sales representative name of our company which will be
> currently working on your order.
>
> Money transfer have to be set with the instructions you will find
> next in this message. When you done with the transfer and funds
> will be set, you have to send us your Western Union's Money Transfer
> Control Number (MTCN),which you will get right after you set the funds
> from Western Union's agent. It will give us the ability to track your
> funds.
>
>
> The third step. Final processing of your order. After we get your
> Western Union's receipt number confirming that money are sent, we
> will prepare the delivery at the warehouse,and finally, we will
> ship you the merchandise.You will be receiving initializing order
> receipt shortly with a scanned copy of the FedEx bill, containing
> tracking number for your package.
>
> __________________________________________________ _____________________
> _____
> ___
>
> HOW YOUR MONEY WILL BE PROTECTED,AND HOW YOU WILL BE INSURED
> __________________________________________________ _____________________
> _____
> ___
>
> To protect your money, you will be holding all the information used at
> Western Union as for the sender of money transfer.These informations
> strictly required here to get yourfunds!
>
> You have to send the money transfer from under name and address
> different
> from the ship-to name and address.So that information will be remaining
> hiden for us.
>
> Only after getting your product delivered , you will send us senders
> name and address which we have to provide at local WU location to
> pick up your money.
>
> You will only have to proove that the funds are set to get your
> products delivered ,and that will be easily made when you include
> WU option to telephone us and inform of that , when you sending
> money.
>
> To confirm that we do need this informations to get your funds read the
> following link :
>
> Article # 9
>
> http://www.westernunion.com/info/faq...ry=UA#faqIntl9
>
> __________________________________________________ ____________________
>
> So the whole procedure will be easy and safe , step by step it is
> like this :
>
> 1. You will send us request to place an order for you , supply name
> and address for shipping , we send you order receipt.
>
> 2. Then you have to visit Western Union office and send the money
> transfer under our name.
>
> 3. After getting the confirmation ,we will ship you the item , and
> supply you the FedEx tracking number for the order.
>
> 4. After getting and inspecting products you send us the senders
> name an address and we finally withdraw your money.
>
> __________________________________________________ ____________________
>
> Here are the instructions to set up the Western Union Money Transfer :
>
> Visit local branch of the Western Union's office, which is nearest
> to you.
>
> At their branch,fill out the form to send a new money transfer for
> the amount which covers your total on the order, use the details
> of the sales person working on your order, at the current time
> they are the following:
>
> ___________________________
>
> Alex Dragan
>
> 7th , Srednyaya st.
>
> Odessa , 65100
>
> Ukraine
>
> Important! :
>
> You have to ask Western Union to provide a telephone notification
> to confirm that you set the funds.
>
> Number you should provide them to telephone us :
>
> +380-66-2233466
> ___________________________
>
>
> After that you have set the payment you will have to email us the
> following information required to process your order :
>
>
> Amount you have transferred, for double-check.
> Western Union's MTCN number for transfer you set.
>
>
>
> Feel free to ask questions ,as we are trying to be flexible with
> our customers to satisfy their needs at max possible!
>
>
>
> We thank you for your interest in our products,and hope we will
> have a lot of positive business in near future!
>
>
>
> Will be waiting for any of your questions and comments,
>
>
>
> With best regards and wishes,
>
>
>
> Victor S Rein
>
>
> Premier Manager, Sales Department
>
> Apple Group Exporting 2004
>
> http://www.applecompany.us
>
> manager@applecompany.us
>
> sales@applecompany.us
>
> +380-66-2233466
     
Forum Regular
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Dayton, OH
Status: Offline
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Aug 3, 2004, 03:25 PM
 
Wow!!

Anything that requires you to pay via Money Order should be the only Red Flag you need!!! I've seen plenty of these on ebay and I never cease to be amazed that ebay doesn't pull them off of their site and that people fall for them.

Thanks for the heads up!!
"When people say that Macs suck, that
means they have never used
them.....trust me...."
     
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: SoCal
Status: Offline
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Aug 3, 2004, 04:24 PM
 
Did you read it? Cuz nowhere on it says anything about paying by Money Order. It says to pay by Western Union, which is more likely a scam than paying with money order.
     
Forum Regular
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Dayton, OH
Status: Offline
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Aug 3, 2004, 07:30 PM
 
Right! I meant to say money transfer. I was thinking faster than I could type.
"When people say that Macs suck, that
means they have never used
them.....trust me...."
     
Mac Elite
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Richmond,Va
Status: Offline
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Aug 3, 2004, 10:00 PM
 
Western Union. The fastest way to lose money.
     
Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2001
Status: Offline
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Aug 4, 2004, 02:01 AM
 
What is the elaborate BS about shipping from a different address and name? What is the angle here? Is there a way to report these kinds of places to the FBI or a fraud prevention agency?
     
Professional Poster
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Boston
Status: Offline
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Aug 4, 2004, 06:37 AM
 
Well the website looks professional so they must be legit right?
     
Dedicated MacNNer
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Blacksburg, Virginia
Status: Offline
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Aug 4, 2004, 07:07 AM
 
Originally posted by OptimusG4:
From the Ukraine with a .us extension? Nice.
In case anyone is ever curious about the different extensions:
http://www.cfmc.com/adamb/geo/addext.htm

Don't think the list is complete, but it has a bulk of them. As far as location is concerned, they could be anywhere they want to be, but it's pretty stupid of them to use a US address though. Anyone going to blow the whistle on them?
Are those free-ranged animal crackers?
     
Baninated
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Cambridge, Chicago, Jerusalem (school/home/heart)
Status: Offline
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Aug 8, 2004, 04:38 AM
 
I just went to that site and it's no longer what you all described it to be. Looks like they've flown off.
     
   
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