Business Owners, Does This Sound Suspicious?

[balamw]

MOD NOTE: Certain posts may be removed from the thread (sometimes temporarily as we discuss them) because of the direction other subsequent posts originating from said post have gone and the likelihood of such posts recurring.

Don't read so much into our actions, it may not be your individual post we found objectionable.

B

 

[Squilly]

Wait...am i reading this correctly. You were asked if it was OK to break US export laws...and you agree that is is OK to break US export laws!?

Really....?!

No, yes to "its okay to break the law depending on the severity of the crime"

 

[jsw]

MOD NOTE: Certain posts may be removed from the thread (sometimes temporarily as we discuss them) because of the direction other subsequent posts originating from said post have gone and the likelihood of such posts recurring.

I suspect you could remove over 90% of the posts in here without any real alteration of the thread whatsoever, since fundamentally, it's just:

"Hey, is this a good idea?"

"No, it's not."​

"No, it's not."​

"No, it's not."​

"No, it's not."​

"No, it's not."​

"No, it's not."​

"No, it's not."​

"Yes </sarcasm>"​

"No, it's not."​

"No, really, is it a good idea?"

"No, it's not."​

"No, it's not."​

"No, it's not."​

"No, it's not."​

"No, it's not."​

"No, it's not."​

"No, it's not."​

"Yes </sarcasm>"​

"No, it's not."​

"Here's some more info. Now do you think it's a good idea?"

"No, it's not."​

"No, it's not."​

"No, it's not."​

"No, it's not."​

"No, it's not."​

"No, it's not."​

"No, it's not."​

"Yes </sarcasm>"​

"No, it's not."​

 

[Squilly]

Is that your statement or are you asking a question?

Suppose you get caught, will that be your excuse to the prosecution and judge? Do you think they will understand and let you off?

Moreso a statement. Of course not, but give your side, hire a good lawyer, and what other choice do they have? Not your fault if you don't know the funds are fraudulent.
That's like a pawn shop buying a hot item, cops coming and saying "this ___ is stolen, you're being arrested" (even though there's a law stating it's okay).

 

[balamw]

Yes I am. And we're both 18.

Just curious, how many of you are there, you've previously spoken of an older brother.

I'm 18, my brother who was 24 at the time got it done and loves it.

B

 

[jsw]

Moreso a statement. Of course not, but give your side, hire a good lawyer, and what other choice do they have? Not your fault if you don't know the funds are fraudulent.
That's like a pawn shop buying a hot item, cops coming and saying "this ___ is stolen, you're being arrested" (even though there's a law stating it's okay).

It's more like someone bringing, say, a baby or a pound of coke into a pawn shop and you buying that from them, in that you already know a priori that it's illegal.

Also, even if the funds are legit (whoa, a pig just flew past the window!), sending the iPads overseas is not, and you can't get away with claiming ignorance of that law once caught.

 

[S.B.G]

Ignorance of the law is no excuse. Not to mention, via this thread, you're surely aware now that what you're doing, or planning to do, is very likely illegal.

Just because a person was traveling at 70 mph in a 55 mph zone and truly, honestly, didn't know it, and gets caught, the officer is still going to write a speeding ticket and the driver is obligated to pay the fine (consequences).

 

[lunaoso]

No, yes to "its okay to break the law depending on the severity of the crime"

That's not really a good thought process to walk around with.

 

[Squilly]

Just curious, how many of you are there, you've previously spoken of an older brother.



B

Two others, 18 and 26. 26 isn't involved.

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It's more like someone bringing, say, a baby or a pound of coke into a pawn shop and you buying that from them, in that you already know a priori that it's illegal.

Also, even if the funds are legit (whoa, a pig just flew past the window!), sending the iPads overseas is not, and you can't get away with claiming ignorance of that law once caught.

So, would customs take them?

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Ignorance of the law is no excuse. Not to mention, via this thread, you're surely aware now that what you're doing, or planning to do, is very likely illegal.

Just because a person was traveling at 70 mph in a 55 mph zone and truly, honestly, didn't know it, and gets caught, the officer is still going to write a speeding ticket and the driver is obligated to pay the fine (consequences).

But a bulk of the people that are speeding don't get caught. Same goes for the person robbing the bank, it's just rare.

 

[balamw]

I suspect you could remove over 90% of the posts in here without any real alteration of the thread whatsoever

That's not much different than the forum as a whole. There's plenty of repetition and bad ideas to go around.

I guess we could remove about 90% of the posts and users and you wouldn't really be able to tell much difference.

B

 

[jsw]

So, would customs take them?

Customs in Poland is unconcerned with US export laws.

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That's not much different than the forum as a whole. There's plenty of repetition and bad ideas to go around.

I guess we could remove about 90% of the posts and users and you wouldn't really be able to tell much difference.

B

I dunno - the Private forums have 10% of the activity/users they had when I was active, and I did notice that....

 

[lunaoso]

Two others, 18 and 26. 26 isn't involved.

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So, would customs take them?

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But a bulk of the people that are speeding don't get caught. Same goes for the person robbing the bank, it's just rare.

From what I've found (not a lawyer by any means) you'd be fined $1,000,000 go to jail for up to 10 years and lose all seized items.

 

[S.B.G]

But a bulk of the people that are speeding don't get caught. Same goes for the person robbing the bank, it's just rare.

So you're willing to risk getting caught because so many other people, presumably, do it and get away with it?

I have no idea what the penalties for this proposed crime is in regards to exporting goods, but I'm sure it has to be much more severe than a speeding ticket.

 

[Squilly]

From what I've found (not a lawyer by any means) you'd be fined $1,000,000 go to jail for up to 10 years and lose all seized items.

Plea bargain.

 

[balamw]

Customs in Poland is unconcerned with US export laws.

But for all we know they're in on this deal as a way of getting free iPads for all customs agents. Certainly wouldn't be the first case in history of corrupt customs agents. (e.g. http://www.upi.com/Top_News/Special...an-drugs-ring-report-says/UPI-78201372068540/)

B

 

[Squilly]

So you're willing to risk getting caught because so many other people, presumably, do it and get away with it?

I have no idea what the penalties for this proposed crime is in regards to exporting goods, but I'm sure it has to be much more severe than a speeding ticket.

I'm not, he is, due to his stubborn self.

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But for all we know they're in on this deal as a way of getting free iPads for all customs agents. Certainly wouldn't be the first case in history of corrupt customs agents. (e.g. http://www.upi.com/Top_News/Special...an-drugs-ring-report-says/UPI-78201372068540/)

B

Insurance?

 

[S.B.G]

Have you decided to join in on this venture with him yet or not?

 

[Squilly]

Have you decided to join in on this venture with him yet or not?

I don't think I will, unless there's significant proof on his side that these people are legit and the funds are legit.

 

[yg17]

So, would customs take them?

No, probably not. They don't care about US export law. They'd probably get through Polish customs and get to the seller without much issue.

That doesn't change the fact that you broke US export law. And guess what, since you're in the jurisdiction of the US, you're the one legally responsible. You're the one making money during the commission of a crime.

Also keep in mind that the Poles are largely untouchable by the feds. They'd likely never be extradited for this, if we even have an extradition treaty with Poland. So the feds are going to go after the people in this scam who are easier to get. That means you and your brother.

Good luck pleading ignorance of the law, because once you get arrested, the first thing they're going to do is search your computer for evidence. And they're going to find this thread in your history that contains 15 pages of people clearly explaining why this is a bad idea, why this is illegal, what laws your breaking, and what the consequences are. You will be, as they say, up ***** creek without a paddle.

But a bulk of the people that are speeding don't get caught. Same goes for the person robbing the bank, it's just rare.

That doesn't make it right. Rape has one of the lowest conviction rates of any crime. That doesn't make it acceptable to go out and rape somebody because odds are good that you won't get caught or convicted if you do get caught.

 

[balamw]

Insurance?

Read the fine print. Probably doesn't cover you in many conditions, including illegal activities. Plus you actually have to disclose what you are shipping then.

EDIT:

If this worked why wouldn't all illegal drugs enter the US using commercial shippers? The producers would bear no risk, they'd declare the value get their goods seized by customs and reap their insurance bounty.

I also found this little tidbit in the UPS T&Cs. http://www.ups.com/media/en/AirFreight_TandC.pdf

The maximum declared value for any shipment containing glass is $50.00, and UPS’s liability for damage to shipments containing glass shall be limited to $50.00. Shipments containing glass with a declared value exceeding $50.00 will not be accepted. Shipments containing glass include but are not limited to windshields, plate glass, ceramics, chinaware, light bulbs, televisions, monitors, glass, and glassware.

B

 

[yg17]

Plea bargain.

A plea bargain is not automatic. They're typically offered when the prosecution is unsure of their chances in front of a jury. If the DA feels there's enough evidence to lock you away for awhile, they don't have to offer squat.

 

[Shrink]

I don't think I will, unless there's significant proof on his side that these people are legit and the funds are legit.

Really, I don't know why you are hesitating. What do ALL of the posters on this site know when they tell you, directly, that this is a scam. I'm sure that your brother will assure you that all is well. Who are you going to believe...some strangers who post on this site...or your own flesh and blood.

And when you join him, I'm sure that the courts will be very understanding of your moral innocence, that you really didn't know what was going on and your brother told you that it was OK...and might even send you to the same prison...maybe even as cell mates.

 

[yg17]

I don't think I will, unless there's significant proof on his side that these people are legit and the funds are legit.

Here's the problem now though: The fact that you know about his scheme and aren't reporting it to the authorities makes you an accessory to a crime, which, you guessed it, can result in fines and/or jail time.

 

[jsw]

Here's the problem now though: The fact that you know about his scheme and aren't reporting it to the authorities makes you an accessory to a crime, which, you guessed it, can result in fines and/or jail time.

Fortunately, given that we have no real details and no real ID for those involved, I'd suppose we are immune to that. Probably.

 

[Squilly]

Here's the problem now though: The fact that you know about his scheme and aren't reporting it to the authorities makes you an accessory to a crime, which, you guessed it, can result in fines and/or jail time.

Why would I be an accessory? I didn't partake in anything other than knowing about it and providing advice.