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Transit · May 12, 2003, 04:50 PM

I am a recent Mac Convert. I bought my first mac (a Powermac G4 933) about a year ago, and I love it. It is so easy to use, so much more fun that a pc and it looks way cooler. Anyway, a few weeks ago, I decided that I was going to get myself a powerbook, so that I could take it to work, and use it instead of the PC's that crash every hour on the hour.
So, I began researching on them. I don't make a whole lot of money, and I am just out of university, so I still have that to pay off as well. I was looking for stuff on e-bay, when i came across this guy selling a powerbook for a decent price. In the description, he mentioned that he had more, and that you could e-mail him for a price similar to the price on the auction. I e-mailed him, and he sent me back the specs on the Powerbooks he had available. They turned out to be last years models of the Powerbook G4, and that he had got them in a barter contract from Apple, and that is why he was selling them cheap. After multiple e-mails back and forth, I decided that I would buy one. He e-mailed me an invoice as we had discussed in an earlier e-mail. On the top of the Invoice was a company called ANKA FIREPLACE. (www.ankafireplace.com)
6300 SUNSET BLVD
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA 90028
E-mail: services@ankafireplace.com
Voice mail: (323) 657-5331

I was still a little weary at this point, so i checked out the website. I ended up sending the money via Western Union to a person named
BRINDUSOIU DANUT
6660 SUNSET BLVD SUITE L 184.
HOLLYWOOD,CALIFORNIA, 90028
I was told that I should expect my powerbook in about 8 days. After 8 days had elapsed I e-mailed him to see why I had not recieved it. I got no response from him. I have sent multiple e-mails since then, still yet to get a resopnse from him. I used a hotmail account of mine to e-mail him pretending to be someone else, to se if he would respond to those. Sure enough, he did. He responded to every one of the e-mails I sent him through Hotmail. I have made a report to the police here (Regina, Saskatchewan, CANADA) and I was told that it would take about a month to get down to the office in Hollywood. This guy could take off in a month, and be somewhere else, and it has already been to long, since I had to wait for a week to get my "powerbook". So, I am posting this hoping that someone in Hollywood will see this and be willing to help me out.

My e-mail: bseaman@transitstudios.net

wallinbl · May 12, 2003, 05:01 PM

I can't offer you any specific help, just some advice for the future:

Always pay with credit card. I tried to buy a PowerBook on eBay last December, and got screwed. eBay was no help. PayPal recovered $2.34 for me, big whoop. My credit card company gave me the entire amount back. I filed a report with the FBI, and an investigation is in progress. Hopefully, the guy gets nailed.

If the seller will not accept PayPal or another online escrow that you have already heard of, do not go through with the deal. Western Union practically means shady. People conducting legitimate transactions will not have problems with PayPal or the like. If they argue about the fee, tell them you will pay it. The safety of using your credit card is worth the 1.5% fee.

Hozie · May 12, 2003, 05:13 PM

I'm really sorry to hear that. I don't want to come over as being harsh, but what exactly would you want us to do? I mean, th eBay scams are so widespread by now that people are starting to shy away from the service (if they didn't before), especially for big-ticket purchases. Because you paid via money order, you have virtually no resource short of going to the police. Sure, there was a guy in your situation who made a plea to a bulletin board, a couple of people chimed in and they caught the guy, but the odds of that happening again are against you.

I'm afraid I have to echo the advice of wallinbl: always pay per credit card. But still, it sucks and I feel for you...

danbrew · May 12, 2003, 07:24 PM

Originally posted by Transit:
So, I am posting this hoping that someone in Hollywood will see this and be willing to help me out.

Dude! Be careful. First, we all feel for you on getting taken in by this scam - but your only recourse is to file a report with the PD. You might get some relief from your home owners insurance, but I doubt it.

I say be careful because what do you think will happen when you get some guy in California to go "help you out" - what if he goes over and gets in a confrontation with the seller? What if he or the seller gets hurt? Or shot, or worse?

You've solicited the guy to go help out and could get screwed by a smart lawyer. Ouch.

BigDaddy · May 12, 2003, 07:41 PM

Voice mail: (323) 657-5331

I would try to call him. I would think with a website and address the Police should be able to help. I think like most things in life if things are to good to be true then they are.

icruise · May 12, 2003, 08:03 PM

Originally posted by danbrew:
Dude! Be careful. First, we all feel for you on getting taken in by this scam - but your only recourse is to file a report with the PD. You might get some relief from your home owners insurance, but I doubt it.

I say be careful because what do you think will happen when you get some guy in California to go "help you out" - what if he goes over and gets in a confrontation with the seller? What if he or the seller gets hurt? Or shot, or worse?

You've solicited the guy to go help out and could get screwed by a smart lawyer. Ouch.

I totally agree. A few months ago there was a a story that developed on O'Grady's PowerPage -- a guy had gotten screwed by somebody in another city on a powerbook deal and people started volunteering to go and check out his place of business, to go "talk to him" etc. While in that case it seemed to work out for the best, it's really dumb for all parties involved, if you ask me. The person volunteering could get into serious trouble, just to help some person on the internet they've never met, and the person being helped can get into legal (and moral) trouble if the person gets injured or whatever.

The moral of the story is that Western Union is a terrible way to send money to anyone you don't know and trust completely.

Transit · May 12, 2003, 11:30 PM

Let me clarify what I mean when I ask for some to help me. I am looking for someone that can give me any information about the business that I don't have.

What is in the building that the address says on the website.

Here is the result of a WHOIS search for ankafireplace.com

Domain Name.......... ankafireplace.com
Creation Date........ 2003-03-14
Registration Date.... 2003-03-14
Expiry Date.......... 2004-03-14
Organisation Name.... Brindusoiu Danut
Organisation Address. 7561 W Sunset BLVD Suite #104
Organisation Address.
Organisation Address. Los Angeles
Organisation Address. 90046
Organisation Address. CA
Organisation Address. UNITED STATES

Admin Name........... Brindusoiu Danut
Admin Address........ 7561 W Sunset BLVD Suite #104
Admin Address........
Admin Address........ Los Angeles
Admin Address........ 90046
Admin Address........ CA
Admin Address........ UNITED STATES
Admin Email.......... gemal@hotpop.com
Admin Phone.......... +1.323-657-5331
Admin Fax............

Tech Name............ YahooDomains TechContact
Tech Address......... 701 First Ave.
Tech Address.........
Tech Address......... Sunnyvale
Tech Address......... 94089
Tech Address......... CA
Tech Address......... UNITED STATES
Tech Email........... domain.tech@YAHOO-INC.COM
Tech Phone........... +1.6198813096
Tech Fax............. +1.6198813010
Name Server.......... yns1.yahoo.com
Name Server.......... yns2.yahoo.com

iWrite · May 13, 2003, 07:21 AM

Well, I looked up that number and the only good thing is that the number is not a wireless number. It's actually a CLEC number, or a Competive Local Exchange Carrier. The company is PACWEST and here is their website:

http://www.pacwest.com/

You should do several things to get the ball rolling:

1. File a local police report where you live
2. With that police report in hand call the Los Angeles police department and be diligent and POLITE and firm and do your best to get through to a detective in the internet fraud department. Trust me, they have one, and if you need to prod them a bit then mention that you think that your fraud issue *might* have something to do with the Chris Chong Kim eBay fraud scam that the Orange and Los Angeles counties just reached a $400,000 plea deal with. (After all, it COULD have something to do with that, right?) The reason you're going to call the Los Angeles police department is because you're going to use his phone number as the basis for where the fraud was committed, not where he SAYS the business is located at
3. The important thing is to tell the LAPD that your local PD said that you need to file the police report down there in LA because the crime OCCURRED THERE WHERE THIS INDIVIDUAL COMMITTED THE FRAUD. It's very important that you convince the LAPD to give you a case number.
4. With that case number you contact PACWEST and speak to fraud and tell them what has occurred and get a contact or case number
5. Call the detective back at the LAPD and give them the contact or case number. The police will be able to get the name and number of the actual (real) person behind that number -- and look up the address and info of the person who originally was assigned that telephone number.

The lesson in all of this?

NEVER USE WESTERN UNION -- EVER -- WITH ANYONE OTHER THAN A CLOSE FRIEND OR FAMILY MEMBER.

If you're in the United States and pay via United States Postal Service money order you have automatic fraud protection because the USPS requires a driver's license to cash that money order -- and that means an address will be available for them to backtrack and find someone. Not even Paypal is as safe as a tracked envelope with a USPS money order inside.

Good luck.

bluejam · May 13, 2003, 10:35 AM

Just curious...what was the actual offer or price for this powerbook? The amount of suckers out there are the main reason we get so many thieving telemarketers and junk mailers.

tooki · May 13, 2003, 01:20 PM

Actually, using USPS money orders is wise because using them for fraud turns the transaction into mail fraud, which the Inspector General's office will then investigate.

tooki

wallinbl · May 13, 2003, 01:34 PM

Originally posted by tooki:
Actually, using USPS money orders is wise because using them for fraud turns the transaction into mail fraud, which the Inspector General's office will then investigate.

tooki

Yes, but getting your money back is as easy as getting blood from a stone. Generally, I would want my money back first, jail second. The IG may get the guy into jail, but they can't get your money. It is likely already spent.

BigDaddy · May 13, 2003, 02:47 PM

17" Display PowerBook G4/800
Apple Price: $2,099.00

I mean come one people. A 3299 dollar computer for 2099.

PeterKG · May 13, 2003, 05:46 PM

Originally posted by Transit:
Let me clarify what I mean when I ask for some to help me. I am looking for someone that can give me any information about the business that I don't have.

What is in the building that the address says on the website.

Here is the result of a WHOIS search for ankafireplace.com

Domain Name.......... ankafireplace.com
Creation Date........ 2003-03-14
Registration Date.... 2003-03-14
Expiry Date.......... 2004-03-14
Organisation Name.... Brindusoiu Danut
Organisation Address. 7561 W Sunset BLVD Suite #104
Organisation Address.
Organisation Address. Los Angeles
Organisation Address. 90046
Organisation Address. CA
Organisation Address. UNITED STATES

Admin Name........... Brindusoiu Danut
Admin Address........ 7561 W Sunset BLVD Suite #104
Admin Address........
Admin Address........ Los Angeles
Admin Address........ 90046
Admin Address........ CA
Admin Address........ UNITED STATES
Admin Email.......... gemal@hotpop.com
Admin Phone.......... +1.323-657-5331
Admin Fax............

Tech Name............ YahooDomains TechContact
Tech Address......... 701 First Ave.
Tech Address.........
Tech Address......... Sunnyvale
Tech Address......... 94089
Tech Address......... CA
Tech Address......... UNITED STATES
Tech Email........... domain.tech@YAHOO-INC.COM
Tech Phone........... +1.6198813096
Tech Fax............. +1.6198813010
Name Server.......... yns1.yahoo.com
Name Server.......... yns2.yahoo.com

I was in Hollywood today so I drove to the location to check it out. I'm afraid it is an empty store front. I took pictures for you and posted them for all to see. This looks like it was a scam for sure. Sorry Transit.

http://homepage.mac.com/petergrether/PhotoAlbum26.html

anoetic · May 13, 2003, 05:59 PM

I think the only legit way to buy a big ticket item from ebay is if you can do the exchange in person. I'd only bid on an item over $1000 if they lived in driving distance and I could pick-it up myself. Their should be no reason someone selling the item shouldn't agree to that.

quadgrande · May 13, 2003, 06:16 PM

17" Display PowerBook G4/800

That should be your first clue. There is no 800 Mhz 17" Powerbook, only 1Ghz.

BigDaddy · May 13, 2003, 06:29 PM

Originally posted by PeterKG:
I was in Hollywood today so I drove to the location to check it out. I'm afraid it is an empty store front. I took pictures for you and posted them for all to see. This looks like it was a scam for sure. Sorry Transit.

http://homepage.mac.com/petergrether/PhotoAlbum26.html

Ouch.

iWrite · May 13, 2003, 06:30 PM

I've purchased and sold big-ticket items on eBay.

I only pay via C.O.D. using FedEx and I only pay for items with United States Postal Service money orders because I am protected against fraud.

For people paying me I request a copy of the U.S.P.S. money order receipt and a fax or scan of the actual money orders before I send the item via FedEx C.O.D. and I specify on the C.O.D. that only USPS money orders are accepted.

If I'm buying then I request it be sent to me via FedEx C.O.D. and I do not allow the item to be delivered at the house: It is picked up AT the local FedEx location and opened right there in front of the counter reps so that they can see if the item is there and if so, what condition it is in. If the seller sent it in good condition (I always ship from the actual FedEx counter after demonstrating that the item works perfectly) then FedEx insurance is responsible for any damage between point A and B.

Guess what? In over 400 transactions at eBay I have never lost a dime. A couple of people tried but in the one instance when an empty box arrived I immediately got on the cell phone and had the local police department come right over to make a case number and while they were there I called the seller -- who then immediately spoke to FedEx and said that he did NOT want the item picked up but wanted it returned to him. (FedEx cannot return an item even if they suspect fraud -- the sender is the only person who can authorize the return of the item and cancellation of the C.O.D. process.)

So, I've never been taken advantage of. I also don't trust Paypal for big-ticket items. And forget expecting eBay to be concerned about fraud -- they're not.

Bottom line: I feel mighty sorry for this guy but some people let greed take over their rationale and trust the wrong people. Western Union isn't for auctions -- it's to send your brother or your son money in a pinch if they're stuck someplace with their wallet stolen or lost. That's it.

iWrite · May 13, 2003, 06:37 PM

P.S., That was mighty nice of PeterKG to take those pictures.

I would almost suggest that the guy that was scammed call the leasing company and find out who has access into that building still -- or maybe it's someone connected to the leasing company?

PeterKG · May 13, 2003, 06:47 PM

Originally posted by iWrite:
P.S., That was mighty nice of PeterKG to take those pictures.

I would almost suggest that the guy that was scammed call the leasing company and find out who has access into that building still -- or maybe it's someone connected to the leasing company?

Hi iWrite,

I am hoping Transit does the same thing.

iWrite · May 13, 2003, 10:05 PM

I was thinking more about this and I have a feeling that the scammer simply picked an empty building front.

His best bet is to go through the telephone number.

I was trying to think of who I could get to do some *research* but the truth is that I don't know all of the facts and the other issue is that the person taken advantage of is in Canada and that complicates matters even more.

The sad thing is that people continue to fall for this kind of crap.

Here's that website that someone originally referred to:

http://www.remodern.com/caught.html

And then he started this site for fraud reports:

http://www.remodern.com/phpBB2/

Some other great resource sites that I've used:

http://www.whitepages.com/
http://www.primeris.com/fonefind/
http://www.areacodeszipcodes.com/
http://www1.ifccfbi.gov/index.asp
http://www.paypalwarning.com (Incidentally, Paypal's 24-hour phone number is 402-935-7733 in Omaha Nebraska)
http://www.ebglaw.com/article_483.html
http://www.allthesoft.com/internet/tool/magic-nettrace/

Nephron · May 13, 2003, 10:28 PM

Originally posted by PeterKG:
I was in Hollywood today so I drove to the location to check it out. I'm afraid it is an empty store front. I took pictures for you and posted them for all to see. This looks like it was a scam for sure. Sorry Transit.

http://homepage.mac.com/petergrether/PhotoAlbum26.html

Nicely done PeterKG!

Cheers!

Transit · May 14, 2003, 12:21 AM

Thank You all so much for you help/advice. PeterKG, thank you so much for taking the pictures. I can't begin to thank you enough for doing something like that for a complete stranger

Now, Just to update everyone, I had one of my friends use one of his e-mail accounts to email the company, pretending to be interested in a powerbook. He got a reply from an Alan Demers. When my friend asked where to send the money to, this is the name and address he was sent.

RADU CONSTANTEN BRATU
2316 Delaware Avenue, #305.
Buffalo, NewYork 14216

but a search on that name from warants this result:

Constantin Bratu
Newport Beach, CA 92660
(949)722-9825

PeterKG · 09:25 AM

Originally posted by Transit:
Thank You all so much for you help/advice. PeterKG, thank you so much for taking the pictures. I can't begin to thank you enough for doing something like that for a complete stranger

Now, Just to update everyone, I had one of my friends use one of his e-mail accounts to email the company, pretending to be interested in a powerbook. He got a reply from an Alan Demers. When my friend asked where to send the money to, this is the name and address he was sent.

RADU CONSTANTEN BRATU
2316 Delaware Avenue, #305.
Buffalo, NewYork 14216

but a search on that name from warants this result:

Constantin Bratu
Newport Beach, CA 92660
(949)722-9825

Transit,

I live in Newport Beach. The store front in Hollywood is a long way from Newport. What is the street address in Newport?
What are these people, Russian Mafia?

I'm feeling a little uncomfortable as I went by that store while in Hollywood to take pictures for you, and now you say this person is linked to the same city I live. Just so you know I am not that person.

iWrite · May 14, 2003, 06:25 AM

I say that you should tell the guy that you want to send him a USPS money order DEPOSIT of, say, $100. He's an idiot and he'll cash it and there you go: File a fraud report and have the USPS track his *ss down. Then you'll find out who he is and you can use that information to go after him for the Western Union fraud.

That's what I suggest.

However, I keep forgetting that you're not in the United States so I don't know what else to suggest.

Too bad, guy.

iWrite · May 14, 2003, 06:30 AM

Here's the address of that guy "Constantin Bratu":

2191 Harbor Bl
Costa Mesa, CA 92627
(949) 722-9825

That's where he lives.

Lebensm�de · May 14, 2003, 06:40 AM

Originally posted by PeterKG:

What are these people Russian Mafia?

The names are definitely Rumanian.

(Which probably won't help matters much, but who knows, it might give somebody a further clue...)

iWrite · May 14, 2003, 06:52 AM

That address you gave me/us?

2316 Delaware Avenue?

It's a Mailboxes Etc. and Horst Tax Services is there.

That's where one of the fraudsters is.

Their phone number is:

(716) 877-7711

They'll confirm the address for you. You might even be VERY nice in the beginning and just try to elicit the information from them. "Hello, I'm trying to send a friend some money, his name is Alan Demers -- oh, wait, he said to send it to his friend Constantin -- but I'm not sure if he's in box number 315 or not... Is there any way you can tell me if that name is correct?"

BE VERY LOW KEY. You don't want to let on that you're onto this guy AT ALL because then he'll move on.

At that point GET THE CASE NUMBER FROM THE POLICE THAT I RECOMMENDED YOU GET and call the Buffalo police and speak to a detective and tell him what's going on and give him the case number where you're at and explain what is happening. Tell him/her that the police where you are REALLY need a police case number (that will prod them to supply one).

Too bad we don't have any Mac friends in Buffalo who can drive up to that Mailboxes Etc and stake out mailbox #315 for a description (NO INVOLVEMENT), but maybe the cops will do it if they really believe you.

If you do manage to get a case number then you can call that Mailboxes Etc and tell them what's going on, give them the police case number (for Buffalo) and beg them to call the detective you speak to and give him/her the name of the owner of that mailbox.

Here are the phone numbers for them:

http://www.city-buffalo.com/Police/M...%20Numbers.htm

GOOD LUCK.

danbrew · May 14, 2003, 06:55 AM

Originally posted by Lebensm�de:
The names are definitely Rumanian.

(Which probably won't help matters much, but who knows, it might give somebody a further clue...)

Who knows what's really going on here. It's a bad thing that the original poster got taken - but it was his greed that led him down this path. The only smart recourse is to file a police report and a claim with his insurance company.

From a purely legal perspective, you guys who are offering "help" and taking pictures and all that are potentially setting yourselves up for criminal charges should this thing escalate out of control. Really, how do you know what this is about? You now know the name and address of some guy who you "heard on the internet screwed some other guy" - if you start running around taking pictures of this guy, calling, or knocking on his door, you may find out this isn't at all about a fraud case. What if it is a stalking situation? Or worse?

And from a personal safety perspective, suppose these guys are with the russian mob - do you think they'll take kindly to inspector gadget showing up to do some "investigating?" **** - you'll be lucky if they don't kill you.

My point is that none of you know the players here - and it wouldn't surprise me if there were more here than what we've heard.

Oh, and by the way, are you sure the money was picked up in California? You can WU money to someone in California but if they show up at a WU office in New York with ID (or the code word - tell us you didn't use a code word), they can pick up the funds in NY.

Alphy · May 14, 2003, 08:10 AM

Romanians are trouble! So many are out there on ebay frauding ppl telling them to send western union money etc.

It's not uncommon for them to email bidders who bid for other Apple laptops and promise them fake goods.

PeterKG · May 14, 2003, 09:17 AM

Originally posted by iWrite:
Here's the address of that guy "Constantin Bratu":

2191 Harbor Bl
Costa Mesa, CA 92627
(949) 722-9825

That's where he lives.

Hi iWrite,

Harbor Blvd. in Costa Mesa is a business district. There are some apartment complexes on that street but for the most part its business.
I'm still curious and will see what is at that location.

iWrite · May 14, 2003, 11:11 AM

PeterKG:

He actually uses two names at that address, interestingly enough. The two names have the same phone number.

But, I'm thinking that the real fraud is someone in Canada. There are a LOT of people committing fraud that are in Canada -- take a look at the Powerbook auctions and you'll see a LOT of them. One of the reasons is that Canada is the only place where there's an Apple discount "outlet" store, I suspect.

The sad thing is that right now in every Apple Store in the U.S. you can walk in and ask to see their binder of "open box" items for sale. I just bought a 900Mhz iBook for our son, open-box, for $1259 -- it retails for $1499. Some lady had bought it the day before and then decided she didn't want it and returned it. I saved $250. They have an Apple 17-inch LCD display that I'm looking at also for only $599 -- $100 off -- because it's "open box." All of their discounted items carry a full 1-year warranty also.

Bottom line: If a deal is too good to be true then it's not a deal.

You're a good guy to go check that address out, PeterKG. Saw your pics and saw those AWESOME photos of you down at the Great Barrier Reef. What a great photographer! What camera are you using?

Getting back to this issue, that person he referred to at the Buffalo NY address is obviously using Mailboxes Etc as a mail drop front.

Here's a great article about scam artists on eBay from Fortune magazine.

Transit · May 14, 2003, 11:23 AM

Originally posted by danbrew:

Oh, and by the way, are you sure the money was picked up in California? You can WU money to someone in California but if they show up at a WU office in New York with ID (or the code word - tell us you didn't use a code word), they can pick up the funds in NY.

I managed to find out from a lady at the Western Union that the money was picked up in Los Angeles, CA. She whould not budge on giving me the address though.

Also, I have no way of knowing if Alan Demers and the person that ripped me off (BRINDUSOIU DANUT) are the same person. All I know right now is that, he (BRINDUSOIU DANUT) is who I have to focus on finding.

HasanDaddy · May 14, 2003, 11:29 AM

Awesome job Peter - way to take one for the team!

btw --- what theme are you using on your ocean pics?? I haven't seen that .mac theme before

oh -- AWESOME PICS!!!

Transit · May 14, 2003, 11:43 AM

Originally posted by iWrite:
Here's the address of that guy "Constantin Bratu":

2191 Harbor Bl
Costa Mesa, CA 92627
(949) 722-9825

That's where he lives.

Thanks iWrite. What did you use to get that information? I couldn't manage to get a street address for this guy.

Thank You all for your continuing help.

PeterKG · May 14, 2003, 12:08 PM

Originally posted by Transit:
Thanks iWrite. What did you use to get that information? I couldn't manage to get a street address for this guy.

Thank You all for your continuing help.

I went over and checked out the Costa Mesa location as it's next door to Newport Beach. The address is a mobile home park. I took a picture and posted it for you to see.

http://homepage.mac.com/petergrether/PhotoAlbum27.html

iWrite · May 14, 2003, 12:29 PM

Legal subscription to LexisNexis.

You need to thank Peter more than me -- the guy has used his gas and time to check it out.

He should get a P.I. license!

:-)

Very nice of him!

iWrite · May 14, 2003, 12:35 PM

Also, just looked it up at www.whitepages.com and the same information is there also -- a public venue for all to see.

Transit · May 14, 2003, 09:02 PM

You're right iWrite. I am so greatful for what he has done for me. But I am also greatful to anyone who has read this post, and given me any information.

Thank You all

SSharon · May 15, 2003, 12:47 AM

What we need to do is find some Mac using lawyers and/or police officers to explain what is legal what is stalking etc. I also want to quote Chief Wiggum from the Simpsons who said that lots of people are taking the law into their own hands nowadays. Anyway, good luck with everything, if you get some addresses in Maryland or Chicago post them, b/c I have no problem helping/stalking strangers.

PeterKG · 01:11 AM

Originally posted by SSharon:
What we need to do is find some Mac using lawyers and/or police officers to explain what is legal what is stalking etc. I also want to quote Chief Wiggum from the Simpsons who said that lots of people are taking the law into their own hands nowadays. Anyway, good luck with everything, if you get some addresses in Maryland or Chicago post them, b/c I have no problem helping/stalking strangers.

What is with this stalking comment? If I believe his story, which I do, the poor kid made a bad judgement, buys a computer in good faith, and gets ripped off by someone.

He lives in Canada. The person who screwed him, did so from LA. I live in Southern California. I went and checked out the locations and passed on the information. iWrite did the same with information he found through his legal sources. That is not stalking. It would be called investigating.

People should not sit back and watch their fellow man to be ripped off. And then turn it around and blame the guy for trying to get a deal that was to good to be true, and then being concerned about the person who screwed him being tracked down?

I would help to catch any a-hole who rips people off. I don't think it's cool at all. The victim far too often is blamed these days, while the victimizer gets away with it.

SSharon · May 15, 2003, 03:08 AM

I'm saying I want to help, I have no problem investigating things like this where other more legal sources are unwilling to help or just take too long to get moving.

iWrite · May 15, 2003, 08:32 AM

I agree with PeterKG. A couple of people here have made comments that are meant to be warnings to people trying to help this guy out. That's the mentality that lets criminals go free in this society.

It reminds me a local story where a criminal had broken into someone's house and while there the owner shoots him -- in the kitchen and after the guy holds a gun up at him; the cops come and the guy is convicted and spends two years in the slammer but the homeowner is charged with a crime AND the criminal sues the guy in civil court -- and wins!

It's all upside down.

bluejam · May 15, 2003, 09:57 AM

This is so interesting, I can't wait for the movie to hit DVD. You're all a bunch of knuckleheads trying to help the Head Knucklehead. Saving a couple hundred bucks on an Apple product is realistic. Anything more than that and one is treading on stupid greed. It goes beyond "misjudgement" as someone else wrote. I imagine those that are helping this guy are having fun playing Columbo, but if you get hurt...well. Realize, these scam artists do this for a living and nothing you do will stop them. It is also a crime that gets hardly any(if at all)jail time. Just shop smarter and use your few brain cells for what they were intended. Thinking before leaping. Did we learn anything?

Jacket · May 15, 2003, 10:41 AM

I feel for ya Transit,

If i'd gotten to this post earlier, i would have done some similar investigation to what's already occured. i have a knack for being able to find people and information online myself.

i hope your search for justice prevails.

Stingrey · May 15, 2003, 12:20 PM

Not to change the focus here, but I'm wondering if anyone of you has ever been burned like this before. I've been burned (very recently in fact) like this before, only in reverse. I've been paid for something, shipped that item out in good faith, then had the payment reversed. I would personally go and check and get all the info I could to help someone out who has been burned, whether it is legal or not, because of the fact that I *know* how it feels to get burned like this.

That being said, stalking or not, if I was available to help someone out, I'd have done the same thing. Good job, people! Help your other legitimate people out. It is hard to say whether it is legal or not, 'cause on one hand, nobody wants someone out there scamming people. Especially for large sums of money. On the other hand, you never know when someone will just in haste make a name/address up and throw it out there saying that they've been burned. That being said, if anyone is in Houston and can help me out, I got hosed on a pair of Metallica tickets for the upcoming concert. I AM going to pursue this as legally as I can, but it sure would help to have a picture of their house or something to e-mail to them requesting payment for the 40th time or so after being told everything from "medical reasons" to a "sick horse" came into play with the check bouncing.

Again, maybe more than to get info, I think I typed this to say that it is not cool to just stand by and allow the bad people to get off the hook over and over and make it more difficult for the justice that needs to be served to be served.

Rey.

SSharon · May 15, 2003, 03:24 PM

anyone have a lot of free time and want to set up a trap to help transit. I think he even said that he e-mailed the guy back from a diffenent address and that someone else suggested sending a hundred bucks to get a documented name and address. I think its a great idea, the only thing you have to watch out for is I think its illegal to corner someone into doing something illegal (I don't know the exact law, but I know students at my university caught cheating tried to use that as defense saying that they were put into a situation where they couldn't help themselves), anyway, lets get that guy.

Hozie · May 15, 2003, 05:21 PM

the only thing you have to watch out for is I think its illegal to corner someone into doing something illegal (I don't know the exact law, but I know students at my university caught cheating tried to use that as defense saying that they were put into a situation where they couldn't help themselves)

Yeah, it's called 'entrapment' and it's illegal, even for law enforcers (in principle).

iWrite · May 15, 2003, 05:38 PM

It's not "entrapment" if the guy sends the fraudster a money order and he cashes it and it provides the person's real name and address.

Gimme a break, folks!

We're just trying to help a guy out.

Hozie · May 15, 2003, 05:45 PM

Sure, but what are you going to do next? Go to the police? Chances are that if they really go out of their way to get the guy's name, they will wether you try the whole trap shingamagig or not.

Nevertheless, I'm all in favor of people helping each other out. I'm just not sure if this is the way to do it...

danbrew · May 15, 2003, 05:51 PM

Originally posted by Hozie:
Yeah, it's called 'entrapment' and it's illegal, even for law enforcers (in principle).

Jeeezzzzz.... entrapment is only illegal when it's the cops doing the entrapment. The challenge ordinary joe will run into when setting up that "perfect sting" is that he or she might cross the line and break some laws. Or the bad guy will pull out his Uzi or pistol and start making big holes in things when the trap is sprung.

Hey - you guys do what you want to do - my entire point is that none of us KNOW what is really going on here and there are ZERO legal ways for any of us to help the original poster get his cash back. What, you gonna go over and twist this guys arm and ask for a refund?

What did I mean about stalking? Well... consider this story.

I just found out my girlfriend is seeing another guy behind my back. His name is Constantin Bratu and I'd really like to find out where he lives so I can go kick his butt (or murder him - can you say accomplice?). Can any of you help me find his address?

vs. this story

I'm a new mac user and thought I was getting a good deal on an online sale. I sent a Western Union to a guy named Constantin Bratu and he's not responded! I'd really like to find out where he lives so I can call him and ask when he's going to ship my machine. Can any of you help me find his address?

We'd all be doing a better service to the mac community if we ensured that folks knew scams like this are running wild over the net - not if we put ourselves and others at risk for something we don't understand.

What, btw, would happen if you did go investigate this guy and he broke your arm? Or shot you? Or called the cops and said you were stalking him?

fwiw.