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I was sold a stolen MacBook Pro

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BBD90

macrumors regular
Original poster
Oct 7, 2011
105
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So a bit of a weird predicament here. I used have a 2016 MacBook Pro 15" but it was just a tad bit too big for me so I sold it and decided to buy a 2017 MacBook Pro 13". I found a good deal on eBay from a seller with solid feedback so I decided to purchase it from him. I noticed we were both in NY so I suggested we meet up and I can check out the MacBook before I bought it.

The MacBook was listed in "New - Open Box" condition. So I met the dude in Starbucks and the laptop was brand new. It had the film when you open it and everything and no one had used it very clearly. I turned it on and made sure the keyboard was good and everything and that I can go into recovery etc. After coming home and connecting to the internet and running the initialization I get a message that the laptop is managed by "Bleacher Report" and I thought that was weird so I tried to call the guy and ask him where he got it from but I didn't get any response. I go into recovery and try to fresh install a copy of MacOS using recovery, internet recovery, and USB recovery and I get the Bleacher Report pop up every time.

At this point it's obvious I've been scammed and this laptop was stolen but I have put down a lot of money on this laptop already. Other than that popup I don't get any signs that Bleacher Report is monitoring me or anything but I am afraid they can just remote in and lock the laptop. What should I do in this situation? Should I go to the cops? I have the dudes number but he isn't responding to me anymore.
 
You bought the computer on eBay, but met in person first to check out the computer? Did you pay through eBay, or pay cash when you met to look at the computer?

If you paid in cash and went around eBay, you are probably out the money.

Assuming the sale was completed via eBay, hopefully you can get your money back via your credit card company or from eBay. I would file the police report as well, it is probably necessary to get reimbursed by ebay/credit card.
 
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I don't think you'll get in trouble. Might not be stolen either.

A lot of assumptions, I would use it as normal. You won't be tracked, I find it stupid unless there is proof it was stolen to even call the cops and lose out on over $1000+

In b4 someone quotes me and says I'm an idiot because I'm not.
 
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This is a classic case of why you should avoid fleabay going forward. Most likely your case falls under civil law as opposed to criminal. Depends on your local laws. They are different everywhere. If you paid cash you are SOL. If you paid with a credit card, contact them to issue a chargeback. If there is a next time do your due diligence before closing the sale.
 
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Before taking any action at all, it may be advisable to speak to an attorney, if you happen to have a friend who is one, so you can explain what happened and discuss the order of how you should respond. However, it is my personal opinion that doing nothing at this point is both unethical and a legal risk - and each of those carry the potential for more consequences than whatever the purchase price of the MBP was.

Please tell me you paid with any form of payment except cash...
And please tell me that if you purchased this outside of eBay that you at least completed the auction online and/or have some sort of bill of sale...
Do you have an image of the popup?
Did you save a copy of the online auction? - and if it is still up, archive that auction webpage on the WayBack Machine?
Were any original sale documents provided with the bill of sale?

Have you considered contacting someone at Bleacher Report, explaining what happened, and (if it is stolen) discussing how to proceed? We don't know that this computer was stolen. Things sound a little shady, but this way you could get an answer straightforward prior to potentially handing over a computer to law enforcement that might not actually be stolen.

However, if it is stolen, and you paid cash, chances are that you are going to take a financial hit. (This beats taking a legal hit for possession of stolen property.)
 
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I paid cash because the seller has over 1600 feedback on eBay and all positive. Oh well, I will take the loss and contact the cops now. You live and you learn, thanks everyone.
 
baypharm said:
This is a classic case of why you should avoid fleabay going forward. Most likely your case falls under civil law as opposed to criminal. Depends on your local laws. They are different everywhere. If you paid cash you are SOL. If you paid with a credit card, contact them to issue a chargeback. If there is a next time do your due diligence before closing the sale.
Click to expand...

I buy and sell on eBay all the time. Never had a problem. Just sold my Air 2 a few days ago. The guy paid. I delivered. 100% legit. eBay is a safe as your momma's hug if just use a little common sense when buying and selling. Coincidently, I'm about to list my Mini 4 on eBay. I'm sure I'll have zero issues.
 
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I don't understand, how is it possible to see a message after format and clean installation of MacOS ?
 
lambertjohn said:
I buy and sell on eBay all the time. Never had a problem. Just sold my Air 2 a few days ago. The guy paid. I delivered. 100% legit. eBay is a safe as your momma's hug if just use a little common sense when buying and selling. Coincidently, I'm about to list my Mini 4 on eBay. I'm sure I'll have zero issues.
Click to expand...

You are one of the lucky ones.
 
BBD90 said:
I paid cash because the seller has over 1600 feedback on eBay and all positive. Oh well, I will take the loss and contact the cops now. You live and you learn, thanks everyone.
Click to expand...

I don't think you need to call anyone IMO. How do you know it's stolen? Could have been his work computer or something? Such high feedback, easy cash transaction, I think you're overreacting.

I would just use the MacBook as you normally would, I honestly think you're fine and safe. All you're gonna do is cause an issue for yourself
 
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You don't hear what OP said? He said it paid by cash. This is the problem when you dealing in eBay, if pay by paypal and pick up item yourself, seller will not agree. Then, if you pay by cash on pick up you are not protected. Lesson to learned is buying anything online just better have courier delivery even close.
lambertjohn said:
I buy and sell on eBay all the time. Never had a problem. Just sold my Air 2 a few days ago. The guy paid. I delivered. 100% legit. eBay is a safe as your momma's hug if just use a little common sense when buying and selling. Coincidently, I'm about to list my Mini 4 on eBay. I'm sure I'll have zero issues.
Click to expand...
 
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Where did he mention it wasn't useable? I think he just said something keeps popping up?

Maybe he didn't actually reformat the hard disk because I'm sure it would wipe that and a fresh install of the OS.

Like I said, unless someone comes asking for it or contacts him he's in the clear, he didn't do anything wrong. He has all the proof from eBay and all the messages if someone does come asking for it (99.9% sure no one will) so for you guys telling him to go to the cops and take a loss on the money is stupid.

OP you can contact eBay to get the sellers info, it will give you his name address and I think phone number. I would try that and attempt to co tact him and get refunded
 
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