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Too good to be true?

lilcosco08

lilcosco08

macrumors 65816
Original poster
May 27, 2010
1,224
22
Dayton
So while surfing craigslist, I found an ad for a Macbook pro for $600, so I checked it out. It seemed too good to be true, as specs weren't listed. I sent an email asking for the specs and got this

"Hi
I am selling this Macbook because my platoon has been sent back to Iraq and I need the money in the shortest possible time. The price is low because I need to sell it before Aug 17th. It is in immaculate condition, barley used.
It is still available for sale if interested, price as stated in the ad $600.00. The Macbook is in Springfield, IL.
Let me know if you are interested, email me back.

Intel Core2Duo 3.06GHz CPU - 8GB 1066MHz DDR3 Memory
256 GB Solid State Hard Drive - GeForce 9600M GT Graphics
17 inch LED High Resolution Display - 8X Super Drive
Mac OS X v10.X Snow Leopard
New Unibody Case model

Thank you


SSG Anna Feldman
139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
Springfield, Illinois Army National Guard"


3n33o43p65Y65V15U6a8b40e3e259d33b1a50.jpg

3nc3m53l85Z15T05X0a8bfb0ec1d466bb11d0.jpg

3k63pb3l15Y55T35X6a8b70cbcc33b8031578.jpg

3n03k43ob5Y35Z55R0a8b3cc485c91c8416d6.jpg



So, too good to be true? Things to check for if I follow through? Thanks
 
Nice phone number to the 139th at the bottom too.


From the Illinois Air and Army National Guard:

SPRINGFIELD (WIFR) - Criminals claiming to be a deploying Illinois Army National Guard Soldier defrauded numerous people out of hundreds, perhaps thousands, of dollars.

“Law enforcement agencies are actively investigating these crimes,” said Maj. Brad Leighton, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs Director.

Leighton said the scam has been an ongoing problem, but based on the number of calls to his office it seems like the perpetrators have increased their activities the last couple of weeks.

For more than a year, there have been multiple advertisements posted on Craigslist claiming the sellers are deploying to Iraq with the Illinois Army National Guard’s (ILARNG) 139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment in Springfield. Advertised items range from vehicles to an Apple I-Pad. The person impersonating an Illinois Soldier attempts to get the potential buyer to use Google Checkout, a third-party Web site, to transfer funds. All of these advertisements are a scam.

After further review by the Criminal Investigative Division, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the National Guard Security office, these ads have been found to be fraudulent in order to obtain ividuals personnel identification information. Craigslist’s legal office has been contacted.

Craigslist tips on how to avoid scams:

Deal locally with people you can meet in person

Never wire funds via Western Union, MoneyGram

Fake cashier’s checks and money orders are common and banks will cash them and then hold you responsible

Craigslist is not involved in any transaction

Never give out financial information

Avoid deals involving shipping or escrow services and only a scammer will “guarantee” your transaction.


If you encounter one of these ads, contact the FBI’s Crime Complaint Center on their Web site.
For questions please contact the Public Affairs office at ngilstaffpao@ng.army.mil or 217-761-3569.
 
Yeah, if someone is shipping out, you better believe they're taking their laptop WITH them!! The post sounds like "shipping out" meaning "Man, I got that huge bill coming up, I need money pronto!"


UGGGH.
 
lilcosco08 said:
So while surfing craigslist, I found an ad for a Macbook pro for $600, so I checked it out. It seemed too good to be true, as specs weren't listed. I sent an email asking for the specs and got this

"Hi
I am selling this Macbook because my platoon has been sent back to Iraq and I need the money in the shortest possible time. The price is low because I need to sell it before Aug 17th. It is in immaculate condition, barley used.
It is still available for sale if interested, price as stated in the ad $600.00. The Macbook is in Springfield, IL.
Let me know if you are interested, email me back.

Intel Core2Duo 3.06GHz CPU - 8GB 1066MHz DDR3 Memory
256 GB Solid State Hard Drive - GeForce 9600M GT Graphics
17 inch LED High Resolution Display - 8X Super Drive
Mac OS X v10.X Snow Leopard
New Unibody Case model

Thank you


SSG Anna Feldman
139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
Springfield, Illinois Army National Guard"


3n33o43p65Y65V15U6a8b40e3e259d33b1a50.jpg

3nc3m53l85Z15T05X0a8bfb0ec1d466bb11d0.jpg

3k63pb3l15Y55T35X6a8b70cbcc33b8031578.jpg

3n03k43ob5Y35Z55R0a8b3cc485c91c8416d6.jpg



So, too good to be true? Things to check for if I follow through? Thanks
Click to expand...

that thing would be worth more than 600 dollars if he sold it after he got back from being deployed. definite scam.

if it does seem to be real tell them you will buy it in a private ebay auction. that way you get protection from ebay and paypal if you use paypal.
 
So I asked to meet and got this

At this moment I am in Illinois in a military base getting ready for Iraq and I cannot leave the base.
Delivery of the Macbook to your address is not a problem because I can do it at no cost for you in case we have a deal using fedex overnight.You will receive the mackbook along with all the accessories.
We will complete the deal only using an authorized trusted third party like Google Checkout, using their protection program. The payment will be handled by Google Checkout and you will benefit of 5 inspection time period and the option to accept or reject the Macbook on my expense. It is a moneyback guarantee transaction because I will not get the money until you decide to keep the Macbook. If you are still interested just send me your full name and shipping address. I will forward your info and the official transaction will be started and you will be contacted by Google Checkout agents. All informations about the process will be provided as soon as the transaction will be opened.
Please reply at your earliest!!
Anna.
Click to expand...
 
lilcosco08 said:
So I asked to meet and got this
Click to expand...

Don't you think if it was real, they would at least use proper grammar? Or that "Anna" would want to get paid before you got the notebook?

I know it's a great deal and all, and you probably know it's a scam, just be careful. :)

Also, that reply is like the literal definition of the news story that is posted a bit above this.

To have a bit of fun, I would email back and say you'll be in Il. and that you'll be able to meet this "Anna" to pick up the unit in person. xD
 
tflournoy95 said:
that thing would be worth more than 600 dollars if he sold it after he got back from being deployed. definite scam.

if it does seem to be real tell them you will buy it in a private ebay auction. that way you get protection from ebay and paypal if you use paypal.
Click to expand...

Ya exactly.

Also aren't American troops coming out of Iraq very soon?
 
lilcosco08 said:
"At this moment I am in Illinois in a military base getting ready for Iraq and I cannot leave the base."
Click to expand...


What military base would that be? Phone number please.

411 "I'd like the phone number for the ...military base in..."

"Hello, do you have a soldier there named Anna ..., she says she is selling a MBP very cheap and I'd like to be certain that this is on the up and up."
--
 
mgartner0622 said:
Don't you think if it was real, they would at least use proper grammar? Or that "Anna" would want to get paid before you got the notebook?

I know it's a great deal and all, and you probably know it's a scam, just be careful. :)

Also, that reply is like the literal definition of the news story that is posted a bit above this.

To have a bit of fun, I would email back and say you'll be in Il. and that you'll be able to meet this "Anna" to pick up the unit in person. xD
Click to expand...

on base? the email said she couldnt leave the base. which is bs, you can leave on weekends i believe. and i think she is (supposedly) a high enough rank to live off base anyway.

yep staff sergeant. she would definitely live off base.
 
DVD9 said:
What military base would that be? Phone number please.

411 "I'd like the phone number for the ...military base in..."

"Hello, do you have a soldier there named Anna ..., she says she is selling a MBP very cheap and I'd like to be certain that this is on the up and up."
--
Click to expand...

Probably missed it if you didn't read my post above quoting the press report on this scam:

"For questions please contact the Public Affairs office at ngilstaffpao@ng.army.mil or 217-761-3569."

And dial 411? Seriously? There's this new thing called Google that can give you all the info you need and takes less time than dialing 411.
 
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