corresponding with an iphone thief

[lesch2k]

My iphone was stolen on Sunday. Today i posted a craigs list add looking to buy an iphone.
the emails below (in reverse order, start from the bottom) highlight my conversation with an obvious i phone theif.

no i will not pay him, but if i can see it to be my phone i need to figure out what to do. my iphone was in a leather wrap around case that is very good quality:


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On Wed, Dec 2, 2009 at 4:37 PM, Sam <cincinnati1972@email> wrote:
Sorry may be tomorrow I email you tonight

Cincy
[EDIT - he signed his name Cincy, yes we live in Cincinnati, but WTF?]
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On Dec 2, 2009, at 4:34 PM, Me <ME@email> wrote:
hopefully you saw my last note.

i could meet you at the chipotle on Glendale Millford and Reading road during the day since, that one is close enough to my office i could leave for a few minutes but later tonight doesnt work for me. sorry.
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On Wed, Dec 2, 2009 at 4:21 PM, sam rock <cincinnati1972@email> wrote:
10:15pm email me or text me to confirm that ! text me only please 513 828 1769

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On Wed, Dec 2, 2009 at 4:18 PM, sam rock <cincinnati1972@email> wrote:
10:15pm tonight at same spot safe and light there have good day hope to see you if not no wary i am no rush to sell this bad ass phone. trust me .

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On Wed, Dec 2, 2009 at 4:16 PM, sam rock <cincinnati1972@email> wrote:
10:15pm at Mcdonald cross from mall i be there at 10:15pm i wait again 5-10min if no one there i leave is that clear email me asap.

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On Wed, Dec 2, 2009 at 4:15 PM, sam rock <cincinnati1972@email> wrote:
well we can do it tonight after 10 pm if you like same spot let me know asap.

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On Wed, Dec 2, 2009 at 4:14 PM, Me <ME@email> wrote:
hi,

I have to be at work until 5pm today so i can't make it to kenwood until at least 5:15. Will you be available tonight?

thanks,
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On Wed, Dec 2, 2009 at 4:09 PM, sam rock <cincinnati1972@email> wrote:
i meet you at Mcdonald at 4:40pm you ok with that please let me know asap when you see it if you do not like do not buy.

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On Wed, Dec 2, 2009 at 4:08 PM, Me <ME@email> wrote:
Hi,

I'll buy the phone for $225 if it's in good condition like you say it is. I could meet in the Kenwood area this evening. where did you have in mind.

Also, do you have service for the phone?
cheers,
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On Wed, Dec 2, 2009 at 3:59 PM, sam rock <cincinnati1972@email> wrote:
its best case i ever see it protect the phone i need answer you buying or not meet me in reading or kenwood if you do not like what you see go home and again price 225 not dime less i want 260 for it but i am not greedy like other people.

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On Wed, Dec 2, 2009 at 3:57 PM, Me <ME@email> wrote:
hi sam.

what kind of case does the phone have that makes it worth 50? do you ahve any pictures?

i'm interested but i would like to know more details.

thanks
Me


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On Wed, Dec 2, 2009 at 3:33 PM, sam rock <cincinnati1972@email> wrote:
** CRAIGSLIST ADVISORY --- AVOID SCAMS BY DEALING LOCALLY
** Avoid: wiring money, cross-border deals, work-at-home
** Beware: cashier checks, money orders, escrow, shipping
** More Info: http://www.craigslist.org/about/scams.html


i got one asking 225 2g 8g with case 50.00 case and phone like new has 200 song and 12 movies,.

 

[Whoozyerdaddy]

Thief

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Is a "theif" anything like a thief? Contact local law enforcement.

 

[lesch2k]

i called the local police. they said that without a serial number or identifying mark there was nothing they could do. i'm hoping that the case is the exact style and color of my stolen phone since that is probably sufficient, and that this guy will tell me what the case looks like before we meet.

 

[Newbian]

i called the local police. they said that without a serial number or identifying mark there was nothing they could do. i'm hoping that the case is the exact style and color of my stolen phone since that is probably sufficient, and that this guy will tell me what the case looks like before we meet.

How does the same style count as a serial number or identifying mark?

 

[lesch2k]

How does the same style count as a serial number or identifying mark?

style and color would work... i hope...

 

[herkulease]

Where did you buy the iphone in teh 1st place? A lot of places record down the serial number.

 

[Maximus96]

style and color would work... i hope...

edit: if your case is the only one in existence in that style and color, then you win!

i thought the iphone box has the serial number on it.

 

[I Saw OJ]

Go down there with a few buddies on confront him?

 

[PlasmaBomb]

You could always meet and ask to look at the phone... if the thief is really dumb maybe some of your details/txts/msgs will still be on the phone.

 

[lesch2k]

i have the serial number and IMEI, but how do i get the guy in possession of a stolen iphone to just give out the serial number. If i scare him away he'll just disappear.

 

[xalos]

Can't you get the serial number from itunes diagnostics and compare that to the serial number for the potentially stolen iphone?

Edit: I saw your last post. You could just remember your serial number's last few digits and compare it on the iphone's about page.

 

[Bibble]

i have the serial number and IMEI, but how do i get the guy in possession of a stolen iphone to just give out the serial number. If i scare him away he'll just disappear.

Couldn't you pay for the phone and then call the police if the serial number shows it is the same phone? Would the cops even bother looking in to it further to try and track him down?

 

[mugs]

Based on his spelling and grammar, I think you're going to be stabbed.

 

[JPS35]

If you are this clueless as to how to deal with this, then you deserve to have it stolen.

1. I assume you have your own phone number, borrow a cell phone (or better yet, take a friend or two with you), when you meet him, call your own number, and when it rings, take it and walk away.
2. Compare the serial numbers and walk away with it.
3. Have the police there with you if you have reported it stolen and they agree to meet up with you.
4. Call the police as to what you could do.
5. Call ATT and ask them if they can trace it when activated to see if it is yours.
6. When you meet up, look it over and see if your information, info of friends is on it, or ????

Once you have it in your hands, ell the bastard he has two choices, you can walk away with it or we can get the police involved.

 

[Bryophyte]

When you meet up with the guy, it will be simple for you to say you want to try it out before you pay him. Take it and get the serial number from it. Done. Go with friends so you can take your phone if it's yours.

 

[silverpig]

Memorize the S/N then look at the about page.

Get on this quick though. My brother had his GPS and phone stolen from his car a few months back, then found the exact same phone and GPS on craigslist the next day. He tried to "buy" them back, but the guy had already sold them.

He said if he saw the stuff was his, he'd just slug the guy and take his stuff.

 

[ChAoTiCpInOy]

How is it obvious?

 

[CptCrunch]

I live in the cincinnati area, lemme know if you want to meet up with this guy, and I'll tag along with ya

 

[destrekor]

Based on his spelling and grammar, I think you're going to be stabbed.

:biggrin:

And what really sells that fact?
"-Cincy"
bwahaha, yous a gonna die.

careful because seriously, anyone that uses that kind of grammar and actually IS selling something hot, likely is packing. Not assuming much here, people who sell stolen goods often are armed in some way, and his Grade A education shines through.

 

[LumbergTech]

op seems flat out crazy to me...

you find some random person on craigslist who is selling an iphone and you decide its likely to be yours even though you have no basis whatsoever to say so

 

[Paulson]

I'd be pretty pissed if that happened but then I'd realize it'd be ok because I could switch service to Verizon.

Sorry I can't be of any help.

 

[wiredspider]

OP and iphone thief both sound kinda crazy. Why didn't you just ask them for a pic of the case? They have an iphone, so obviously they have a camera...

 

[guyver01]

My iphone was stolen on Sunday. Today i posted a craigs list add looking to buy an iphone.
the emails below (in reverse order, start from the bottom) highlight my conversation with an obvious i phone theif.

no i will not pay him, but if i can see it to be my phone i need to figure out what to do. my iphone was in a leather wrap around case that is very good quality:

So.. out of all the hundreds of stolen (or knockoff) iphones being offered on Craigs...

what exactly makes you believe you're communicating with the person who stole YOURS?

 

[Freshgeardude]

So.. out of all the hundreds of stolen (or knockoff) iphones being offered on Craigs...

what exactly makes you believe you're communicating with the person who stole YOURS?

same city and posted in a general time after his was stolen.


OP make sure to bring some kind of protection. usually if they had the balls to steal someones phone, they would really be afraid to punch someone.


Also, I hope for you sake, he never saw your face when he stole it, since if he saw you walking up to him wanting to see the iphone he may just ditch