Powerbook Scam Revenge - Made my day!

[srobert]

An American Ebay seller realises a European bidder is trying to scam him out of a Powerbook (fake escrow site, hijacked ebay account), so he sends him something far better, a P-P-P-Powerbook! Now, for you non-techies here, a factory model p-p-p-powerbook weights half what it's competitors weigh, comes with an A4 screen, the latest in internet adventure software, zero boot time, a fullsize keyboard (often with Key RedundancyTM) and a state-of-the-art laser bluetooth mouse. This is technology. The seller posts to a forum and amongst the chatter people follow the package via the the Fedex tracking page and some even visit the delivery address (a barbershop/internet cafe) and take photos, video, and a seat for their hair cut. The duty tax on this particular p-p-p-powerbook is around £350 (paid for by the scammer) before he sees the package, and a few days later it's released by Customs as they watch in anticipation. A forum member arrives at the internet cafe, takes a seat and soon the package arrives. The scammer opens the box and there are angry raised voices heard. The barber doesn't understand what's wrong and asks... "Is it broken?"

Poetic justice at its best.

Congratulation MyNameIsJeff. You're my role model.

—> Link to whole article <—

you guys should definitly click on the link and go see the pdf of the whole email exchange thread. It's hilarious. More pics too.

 

[virividox]

damn hes good HES GOOOD

 

[srobert]

The 28 pages PDF is really worth reading. There are even pics of the delivery (covert) ^_^

I hope this crook is enjoying his 615$ binder. LOL And he has nowhere to turn to.

 

[P-Worm]

I can't get to the full article.

P-Worm

 

[krimson]

that was fun to read...

"Fire Wire!"
"LASER"

I died when i saw the photos.

 

[krimson]

the link seems to have died...

http://students.uwf.edu/cjg5/sa/thepowerbook.pdf

for the 28 page pdf

 

[leftbanke7]

Good stuff

 

[krimson]

Something Awful.com's Forum thread

 

[srobert]

He got his own website:

http://www.p-p-p-powerbook.com/

Full of pics (hilarious).

I love the keyboard layout. Anybody notice something funny on the second row of keys ^_^ ?

There is even 2 Ls to type LOL faster.

 

[Flowbee]

That's obviously not a real Powerbook... it's got a 2-button trackpad!

 

[bella]

OMG - that's so awesome! I've been trying to find out though if we know what happened when this package was delivered... or is it still being delivered???

 

[srobert]

It's been delivered. I think there is a link to FedEx tracking page somewhere on the thread. The Crook indeed paid the very expensive duty.

MyNameIsJeff emailed the guy after that but he of course never replyed ^_^

Oh yeah, Flowbe, of course it's not a real powerbook. It's a P-P-P-Powerbok. It got the 1 brand new "Circle!" ports and 2 "Who Knows!" ports.

 

[bella]

Well who knows - maybe something could still happen!

 

[bella]

Where did this come from then.....????

A forum member arrives at the internet cafe, takes a seat and soon the package arrives. The scammer opens the box and there are angry raised voices heard. The barber doesn't understand what's wrong and asks... "Is it broken?"

 

[srobert]

There is a new link where the PDF is still available:

http://www.bootsix.net/

 

[bella]

I'm still crackin up over it - LMAO

 

[SilentPanda]

Does this mean G5 p-p-p-p-powerbooks soon?

 

[Flowbee]

Oh yeah, Flowbe, of course it's not a real powerbook.

I was making a joke. Pehaps the big green smiley is too subtle.

 

[themadchemist]

I'm crying...That's beautiful.

 

[Kingsnapped]

That is effing great. I hope there is a followup of some sort.

 

[parrothead]

Sweet justice! That is one dang nice computer. It looks so light and easy to travel with! Plus its low energy consumption is very environmentally friendly!

 

[Abstract]

It's been delivered. I think there is a link to FedEx tracking page somewhere on the thread. The Crook indeed paid the very expensive duty.

MyNameIsJeff emailed the guy after that but he of course never replyed ^_^

Oh yeah, Flowbe, of course it's not a real powerbook. It's a P-P-P-Powerbok. It got the 1 brand new "Circle!" ports and 2 "Who Knows!" ports.

Good job.

I hate to sound ignorant, which I am on things like this, but since I have never bought anything on ebay or whatever, how did the seller know that he was dealing with a fake customer/buyer from his email?

 

[scem0]

if only this happened to all scammers.

Took a long time to read, but it was worth it .

scem0

 

[srobert]

I was making a joke. Pehaps the big green smiley is too subtle.

So was I. Maybe I should have added a green smiley too ^_^

 

[coopdog]

How much did the scamer have to pay? 27% of 2000 isnt that bad, the guy shipping it had to pay almost $100.