My friend just got scammed on CraigsList

[XciteMe]

Whoa it's like you predicted what I was going to say!!! 😉

Not to mention look at the TC's time stamps... Topic was made around 7:20 pm, and less than 1 hour later he had gotten all the info (phone number, meeting place), done all this tracking down and hunting, and STILL had time to report back to us.

🙄

 

[CJayC]

Whoa it's like you predicted what I was going to say!!! 😉

Not to mention look at the TC's time stamps... Topic was made around 7:20 pm, and less than 1 hour later he had gotten all the info (phone number, meeting place), done all this tracking down and hunting, and STILL had time to report back to us.

🙄

I had the message typed but I didn't send it until later. Are you that naive that you think I made the story up? What the hell do I have to gain from this? I was able to find out his information because I have amazing resource skills. Sure you can say "All you did was use Google." Well anyone can use google but not to achieve what I've done. By the time I submitted my topic I was 3/4 done with my research.

 

[XciteMe]

What the hell do I have to gain from this?

The need for attention can be a powerful one, and the internet can make it very easy to fulfill such a drive.

 

[outphase]

The need for attention can be a powerful one, and the internet can make it very easy to fulfill such a drive.

Same could be said of the need to prove others wrong on the Internet.

 

[Geckotek]

Are you practicing to be a crime writer??? This is all obviously one big made-up story.

A great, elaborate one, but a story nonetheless.

Your friend who got scammed so blindly, just happened to be a cop? 🙄

And then all this detective work you did? 🙄

Nice one.

Looks like one of your BS posts. But I actually believe the OP in this case.

The need for attention can be a powerful one, and the internet can make it very easy to fulfill such a drive.

And you use it to it's fullest potential don't you?

 

[TuffLuffJimmy]

The need for attention can be a powerful one, and the internet can make it very easy to fulfill such a drive.

If you don't think it's real, then don't post in this thread. If you think the OP is trolling for attention, then don't give him any.

All your posts in this thread show anyone is you're a rude person willing to call "FAKE! It's been photoshopped, I can tell by the pixels," on the next leaked Apple product.

 

[soms]

Whoa it's like you predicted what I was going to say!!! 😉

Not to mention look at the TC's time stamps... Topic was made around 7:20 pm, and less than 1 hour later he had gotten all the info (phone number, meeting place), done all this tracking down and hunting, and STILL had time to report back to us.

🙄

= you

That amount of google-fu would have taken 15-20 minutes TOPS.

 

[bushbaby]

I'm sorry your friend was scammed, but I also would like to hear the outcome of this situation.

When I sold something high end (not using CL but a specialized site), I chose my bank to meet in. I figured there was an armed guard, lots of security cameras, a little area where we could sit while he looked over the camera, and a place where I felt safe taking a large amount of cash and immediately depositing it.

It's small, so I told the teller that was what I'd be doing first. If you're buying or selling, consider someplace like this. Lots more advantages than a Starbucks.

 

[JayLenochiniMac]

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.

Not necessarily. It's easy to show the real thing then hand over a box with a fake front. The friend made a cardinal mistake of going to the car to get the cash, which allowed this well-known act for pulling the scam.

The friend could have had another person arrive with the cash once it's verified (and never let it out of your sight, ever.)

 

[TurboSC]

the 'ol sciphone in a box trick... sneaky.

 

[MadMacxxx]

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

Yes, absolutely.

Not necessarily. It's easy to show the real thing then hand over a box with a fake front. The friend made a cardinal mistake of going to the car to get the cash, which allowed this well-known act for pulling the scam.

Ah, the bait and switch. It's terrible!

 

[Eddyisgreat]

Op I don't think you are trolling/fake, but I think your buddy needs to have his head checked. AFAIK, THIS is the latest/only version of the Sciphone out in the wild:

Now aside from the flipped back (bottom portion of original at top), you'd have to be covering your eyes to not see the fact that it wasn't a 3GS.

Still, it's a shame it happened. I'm selling my 3GS on craigslist right now. I put it right in the listing:
•Must bring ATT Sim because it isn't unlocked
•Must confirm the product is working before they leave.
•Must sign statement saying that when we parted ways and they had a working phone that met their expectations. If they refuse, fine. I simply won't send in the paper work to switch over Applecare into their name 😛

 

[lorenwade]

Op I don't think you are trolling/fake, but I think your buddy needs to have his head checked. AFAIK, THIS is the latest/only version of the Sciphone out in the wild:

Now aside from the flipped back (bottom portion of original at top), you'd have to be covering your eyes to not see the fact that it wasn't a 3GS.

Still, it's a shamed it happened. I'm selling my 3GS on craigslist right now. I put it right in the listing:
•Must bring ATT Sim because it isn't unlocked
•Must confirm the product is working before they leave.
•Must sign statement saying that when we parted ways and they had a working phone that met their expectations. If they refuse, fine. I simply won't send in the paper work to switch over Applecare into their name 😛

As he said before, his friend only saw the front of the phone. From the front... it looks pretty darn close.

 

[XciteMe]

Same could be said of the need to prove others wrong on the Internet.

Oh you got me. I'm SO seeking attention by calling this guy out and doubting his story. Everybody look at meeeeeee!!! 🙄

 

[Eddyisgreat]

As he said before, his friend only saw the front of the phone. From the front... it looks pretty darn close.

I know what OP said. I posted the wrong phone. It was probably the "i9+++". I can't pinpoint which one it is exactly, but each one I find (like this, this or this) (except the last one which is a little closer) has a much larger gap between the speaker and the screen (I guess the screen on the i9+++ is smaller?)

 

[XciteMe]

As he said before, his friend only saw the front of the phone. From the front... it looks pretty darn close.

His friend, he said, is a cop.

A cop who has no doubt seen the worst ways that human beings have taken advantage of each other, scammed each other, and thieved each other??? Cops are not pushovers. It's not a stereotype, it's part of their job duty. They have to be able to read people very well.

You're telling me a law enforcement officer let some guy pull a blatant bait and switch, and the cop not ONCE inspected the phone after they made the hand-off??? What excuse did the seller have for going back to his car? The phone was already there.

So after inspecting the real iPhone, and parting ways so the cop could get his money, the cop just took the fake iPhone in its box, glanced at the top, and waved goodbye, and didn't PICK THE DAMN THING UP until it was too late and the seller was screaming "So long sucker!" as he sped away???

Right. 😱

 

[WeegieMac]

With all the horror stories I'm reading right now about people selling iPhone's privately to fund their iPhone 4 purchase, I'm thankful my best mate decided to buy my 3G for £200 ... he picks it up today.

Really sorry to hear about your friend though but surely before parting with any money anyone would think to ask for a demo of the unit working first?

 

[CJayC]

With all the horror stories I'm reading right now about people selling iPhone's privately to fund their iPhone 4 purchase, I'm thankful my best mate decided to buy my 3G for £200 ... he picks it up today.

Really sorry to hear about your friend though but surely before parting with any money anyone would think to ask for a demo of the unit working first?

He already used the working 3GS. It was SWITCHED at the end.

 

[daleski75]

I think a lesson well learned there, I sold my nexus one yesterday to a guy from London and we met inside a restaurant and he put a sim card in, called a number to make sure it phones out, sent a sms, took a photo and checked the condition of the phone etc.

This took around 10 minutes of my time which was well worth it for peace of mind for the buyer.

Far too many scammers out there now on ebay everywhere, be vigilant and like another poster said... trust no one!

 

[iPadPublisher]

I knew right away he had gotten a Sci-phone, one of the Chinese imitation iPhones.

Sorry to hear about that. Craig's List has gone from useful/hippie to scam town/scary awfully fast. I've stopped using it almost entirely since reading about gunpoint robberies and non-stop prostitution stings.

 

[daleski75]

He already used the working 3GS. It was SWITCHED at the end.

So if your friend didn't go back to get the cash and handed this guy the cash right away then it stands to reason he would of got the actual iphone and not this clone.

Man that sucks if that is the case.

 

[CJayC]

Quick update on the story.

I gave my friend the address and he drove by in his patrol car just to verify if it was the right guy.


It was.

Most normal guys can see a car and recognize its make and model from a mile away. Cops, in addition to having this ability, are trained further to notice these things and he said there wasn't a doubt in his mind that that was the same vehicle he saw the scammer in yesterday.

 

[0101001]

I am sorry he saw it and bought it. He will look a bit more next time.

 

[PhantomZone]

Most normal guys can see a car and recognize its make and model from a mile away. Cops, in addition to having this ability, are trained further to notice these things and he said there wasn't a doubt in his mind that that was the same vehicle he saw the scammer in yesterday.

you must be having a laugh now...are you scripting for Hollywood's latest blockbuster? 'Trained further' rofl....

read this in the style of the movie trailer voiceover guy...

 

[niuniu]

you must be having a laugh now...are you scripting for Hollywood's latest blockbuster? 'Trained further' rofl....

read this in the style of the movie trailer voiceover guy...

!!! Too funny 😀

Too true!!

I think something's dodgy now as well to be fair.. sorry OP, maybe I'm just used to people communicating actual stories in this way.