My friend just got scammed on CraigsList

[CJayC]

I'll make this as short and concise as I can.

There was an ad on CraigsList for an unlocked/jbed iPhone 3GS 32GB for $400 lightly used with box, no scratches since he would not be getting the iPhone 4.

The seller and my friend then met up and he showed my friend the iPhone 3GS. He turned it on and everything was legit and perfect except for a scratch in the top right of the black plastic. My friend pointed this out and after about 30 seconds of negotiation the seller agreed to take $50 off the price.

My friend quickly went back to the car to retrieve the cash and then came back with the $350. The seller handed him the open box with the phone on top and the lid in the other hand. My friend only needed to look for half a second to see that there was a phone in the box before closing it up himself.

When he got home he took it out of the box and then he saw it. When he told me the story I knew right away he had gotten a Sci-phone, one of the Chinese imitation iPhones. And as you all know the front of the Sci-phone and 3GS look nearly identical at a moment's glance, plus my friend had no reason to suspect foul play.

I didn't post this story so you could make fun of my friend so you could boost your own self-confidence but just to warn you that scams out there take place.

 

[kodek]

As much as that sucks, it's freaking hilarious. I hope it never happens to me, though

Edit: Might as well be helpful if I'm going to make fun of him.

When I sold my 3GS on CL, I brought a friend with me to a Starbucks near my house. We met in a public place with people around us (but not too crowded), and I made sure my friend was watching everything while I made my transaction. I also checked the money to see if it was fake.

If I were to buy a phone, I'd definitely bring a friend along so that nothing like this could happen.

 

[cloroxbleach4]

Sorry to hear that. Always a good idea to double check though. I know it's easier said now after the fact.

 

[youngplaya0228]

Ouch, sorry to hear that. What is the world coming to.... Is there even anything that he can do?

 

[outphase]

Ouch, sorry to hear that. What is the world coming to.... Is there even anything that he can do?

If you look at the other threads, cl sellers go on lockdown and ignore the buyer.

You could always get the police involved.

 

[HiFiGuy528]

I would call the seller and tell him you are really happy with the phone and that your friends wants one too. Meet with the seller again but this time bring two guys to hide across the street and a 9mm in your pocket. You can fill in what to do next.

 

[Sun Baked]

Always check it out again by turning it on again or placing a Big Purple Barney sticker on it if you plan on being away to get money.

All he can do is relay the info to the cops, they will take the info on the people and enter it into the database.

Likely nothing will happen besides the entering the info into the computer, until the scam approaches a targeted number to warrant an independent investigation -- or get picked up for something else.

 

[danny_w]

As much as that sucks, it's freaking hilarious. I hope it never happens to me, though

What?? There is nothing hilarious about somebody getting scammed.

 

[cloroxbleach4]

Ouch, sorry to hear that. What is the world coming to.... Is there even anything that he can do?

I don't think there is much that he can do.

 

[aarong50]

If you look at the other threads, cl sellers go on lockdown and ignore the buyer.

You could always get the police involved.

I am a cop - and your local police won't touch this.. Way too many variables here to ever charge someone with a crime. He could however sue the person in civil court but it's your friends word against his.

 

[Daiden]

I am incredibly weary of people making transactions on eBay or Craigslist -- when money is involved, greedy people will goto great lengths to try to take it from you. Always examine anything you're buying (even from a store) closely before putting down cash for it.

That being said, it sucks that your friend got scammed. I hope he/she is able to do something about it.

 

[cloroxbleach4]

I've never had any issues with craigslist, but this is definitely an eye opener to me to be extra careful now.

 

[saccento]

wow that's just awful

 

[outphase]

I am a cop - and your local police won't touch this.. Way too many variables here to ever charge someone with a crime. He could however sue the person in civil court but it's your friends word against his.

Good call. I figured one would not get too far with the police anyway due to the small scale of it. Small claims would be the venue for the civil suit, but it will be hard to track down the seller if he absconds.

Criminal and civil remedies aside, this case is best left for "live and learn." Your friend had the opportunity to make a reasonable inspection and failed to do so. He learned a $350 lesson.

 

[Applejuiced]

Heard that happened to many people.
They buy an expensive iphone and they dont bother turning it on to test it out at all.
Just like ebay, craigslist, flea markets the rule is trust noone and always have in the back of your mind that you might be falling into a trap or scam.
Double and triple check many times before handing the money or product to the other person.

 

[sammich]

Good call. I figured one would not get too far with the police anyway due to the small scale of it. Small claims would be the venue for the civil suit, but it will be hard to track down the seller if he absconds.

Criminal and civil remedies aside, this case is best left for "live and learn." Your friend had the opportunity to make a reasonable inspection and failed to do so. He learned a $350 lesson.

As these kind of lessons go, $350 is a cheap lesson. Your friend and his/her close mates will definitely be more aware of these scams, especially more expensive ones. Especially investment scams.

 

[MadMacxxx]

The seller and my friend then met up and he showed my friend the iPhone 3GS. Everything was pretty much perfect except for

I guess he didn't really show it to him, as in, he didn't power it on and let him mess with it. Had he decided to actually examine it, rather than glance at it, he'd notice that it was fake.

my friend had no reason to suspect foul play.

It's Craigslist, so he had every reason to suspect foul play.

 

[lorenwade]

Wow. That absolutely sucks. I am sorry to hear it.

 

[JohnnyQuest]

That really sucks

Stories like this are why I don't trust Craigslist one bit. I just wouldn't be comfortable with buying or selling anything on there.

 

[CJayC]

This guy is as good as dead. I found out who he is and here's how I did it. Click play as slideshow and use the arrows

http://img375.imageshack.us/gal.php?g=step1y.jpg

Also note that my friend is a cop and has a lot of cop friends

 

[dukebound85]

This guy is as good as dead. I found out who he is and he's how I did it.

http://img375.imageshack.us/gal.php?g=step1y.jpg

Also note that my friend is a cop and has a lot of cop friends

NVM, saw he swapped it on you

Go after that effer!

 

[Applejuiced]

This guy is as good as dead. I found out who he is and here's how I did it. Click play as slideshow and use the arrows

http://img375.imageshack.us/gal.php?g=step1y.jpg

Also note that my friend is a cop and has a lot of cop friends

Good job.
See if you can call him or get in touch with him in person and try to get your money back or threaten that you will call the cops and lock him in jail.
Keep after him untill you get your money back.

 

[upaymeifixit]

Very sneaky! Lol, that's always fun to do. I guess people don't realize how much people can find out about you online.

 

[CJayC]

Good job.
See if you can call him or get in touch with him in person and try to get your money back or threaten that you will call the cops and lock him in jail.
Keep after him untill you get your money back.

I won't be doing that because he's a cop himself and his cop friends know and I don't know if you know this but police officers are deemed "credible persons" by the court, meaning they take their word as evidence. That's one of the reasons why they can simply say you ran the stop sign and have no other evidence. He's going to drive by in his police car at 5AM tomorrow just to be sure that's him. He remembers what the car looks like so that'll be enough justification for him to know that I found the right Ryan Williams.

 

[cowsrus]

This guy is as good as dead. I found out who he is and here's how I did it. Click play as slideshow and use the arrows

http://img375.imageshack.us/gal.php?g=step1y.jpg

Also note that my friend is a cop and has a lot of cop friends

very nice, seems like there is the possibility of that not actually being the guy so try and contact him before you actually report him

as for buying things on craigslist, it is generally awkward when meeting someone to buy something, and the more you inspect something the more of an insult it is to the person that you are assuming they are trying to rip you off, but you are spending around $400 and you will never see this person again so spend 5 minutes turning it on and making a call, check the settings etc, etc it doesnt hurt to be a dick and take a while in this situation no matter how awkward it is