I responded to this craigslist ad, asking if the 15.4" Macbook Pro laptop was still available.
http://pennstate.craigslist.org/sys/1136835999.html
Here's a screenshot, because the ad will no doubt be removed:
http://i39.tinypic.com/25yy8oh.jpg
I got this email the next morning:
&&&&&&:Amanda Wrote:&&&&&&-
The laptop is still available and I hope you are still interested for $600. My name is Amanda and I am now in Manchester, U.K.This machine is 13 Months old and it has been used for professional needs, it is in great condition and runs perfectly, and beyond evidence of normal use the laptop is in perfect shape. This MacBook Pro is in MINT condition. The AppleCare warranty is good until March 23th and it is fully transferable.
The laptop has the Leopard 10.5.6 OS, the iLife 09, the MS Office the Adobe CS3. The software was made for the US so I thought it would add value to the laptop if I sell it in the US.
One more thing, the laptop is an US version and it works on US voltage so you do not need a converter.
I have attached some pics with the laptop to this e-mail so you can see the condition of the laptop.
Please get back to me and let me know if you like the laptop if you're really interested in buying it.
&&&&&&:I replied:&&&&&&-
If you're in the UK, why are you posting on the State College craigslist?
How do you plan to carry out this transaction?
&&&&&&:She replied:&&&&&&-
The laptop will come with everything in the pics, case, mouse, disks. I will pay for a 2 days delivery so you will receive the laptop within 3-4 days.
Obviously we need a safe way to complete this deal that will allow us to make sure we receive what we are after.
I have found a way for us to complete the deal safely and fast, and in this way you will receive the laptop in less than 3 days, if you move fast as well. The solution is provided by a worldwide delivery company DHL, and they will provide assistance in hadling the payment and delivery of the laptop.
With this procedure you will have the change to test the laptop before I receive my payment.
The procedure is explained on the DHL webpage and please click on the link below to the DHL website to see how we can complete the deal safely and fast directly from the website of the company.
http://www.dhl.co.uk/publish/gb/en/services/log_services/air.high.html
Let me know
&&&&&&&&-
Note that the URL she provides does not describe anything resembling the service she describes. At this point I was suspicious
&&&&&&:I replied:&&&&&&-
Alright, that sounds fair to me, providing the allowed "testing" gives
me enough time to fully deplete and charge the battery (5ish hours).
You should make sure you've told me anything that may be
damaged/broken/worn, because if I find anything that you haven't told me about, I can only assume that there may be things you haven't told me about.
That being said, I don't care about scratches unless they're on the camera lens or screen. Dents, I probably will be unhappy with, broken hardware will make me angry.
How should we proceed? Do you just need my address or something?
&&&&&&:She replied:&&&&&&-
I would need your name and address to start the process. Here is the exact link where the procedure is explained:
http://www.globalservice-dhl.com/gb/en_uk/onlineship.html
I will also try to explain everything.
First I go to DHL with the laptop and start the delivery procedure. After I give them the laptop for you, DHL will send you a notification to let you know the process has been initiated, and that they have the laptop for you and also the complete specifications of the laptop.
Also, in the notification they will send you clear instructions on how to make the payment to DHL, to the DHL agent's name.
After you complete your payment, then you will notify DHL, they will collect the payment and once they have your payment, then they will deliver the laptop to you in 2 days time. After you receive the laptop you will test them to see if they are as I said.
Once you receive the laptop you will have 5 days to test the laptop and if you are 100% satisfied you will keep it and at this poing notify DHL that you are keeping the computer and that they can send me the money.
In the event that you do not like the laptop you will notify DHL you are not keeping the laptop and at this point the DHL people will come to your address and pick up the machine and give you a full refund of your money.
So it is simple, I would say.
If you agree to these terms, send me your name and address and I will go to DHL with the laptop and start the delivery procedure.
Please let me know soon
&&&&&&-
Note that this second URL looks like a DHL website, but it's not the real one! At this point, I was very suspicious, and googling the domain name "globalexpress-dhl.com" confirmed this suspicion. However, I was curious to see how far this would go.
&&&&&&:I replied:&&&&&&-
Please give me a phone number I can contact you. I'm ready to go
through with the transaction as soon as we discuss a few details.
&&&&&&:She replied:&&&&&&-
Send me your name and address, I will take the laptop to DHL and they will send you the payment instructions.
&&&&&&:I replied:&&&&&&-
Michael ****
**** **** Lane
Boalsburg, PA, 16827
I still need your phone number to discuss a few details.
&&&&&&:She replied:&&&&&&-
Great, I will send the laptop tomorrow morning and will get back to you with the confirmation afterwards.
&&&&&&&&&&&&
Following all of this, I recieved a fake email from "DHL" (not really DHL, but it was a good replica). It instructed me to use Western Union to wire the $600 to "DHL Agent" Laura Hagens, who would supposedly hold my payment until I was satisfied with the merchandise.
Mike
Boalsburg, Pennsylvania
U.S.A.
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