[ILUG-SOCIAL] [risko@csl.sri.com: [risks] Risks Digest 22.56]

[kevin lyda]

and people complain about *my* puns...

----- Forwarded message from RISKS List Owner <risko at csl.sri.com> -----

[...snip!...]

Date: Tue, 18 Feb 2003 14:54:19 -0600
From: "D. Joseph Creighton" <djc at cc.UManitoba.CA>
Subject: eBay Sting

A computer technician in Winnipeg, Canada, had his Fluke inline network
tester stolen (approx. value CDN$11,000) at the end of January.  Later,
he decided to check if the not-so-common device was being put up for sale
on eBay and found two: one in Indianapolis and the other in Winnipeg.
[First source: CBC Radio with an online article:
  <http://winnipeg.cbc.ca/template/servlet/View?filename=mb_ebay20030218>]

After expressing interest and through correspondence with the seller, a
serial number was obtained which confirmed that the network tester was the
technician's.  Police were contacted and a meeting was arranged at a local
coffee shop where the seller/suspect was arrested.  *The Winnipeg Free
Press* for 18 Feb 2003 later mentioned that the meeting between seller and
technician occurred with two plainclothes officers waiting at another table.
  
  [I presume the police were drinking Tester's Choice with their serial. PGN]

It appears the CBC may have gotten their tip from the morning paper -- I
don't get to my own copy until the end of the day -- and there's a bit of
a difference between the radio and newspaper versions.

Although the suspect may be innocent of the theft, the attempt to sell would
seem to constitute a crime.  The RISKS in not doing your on-line research
before doing your on-line auction is -- for the seller -- one that might be
costly and -- for the thief -- downright dumb.

D. Joseph Creighton [ESTP] | Systems Analyst, Database Technologies, IST
Joe_Creighton at UManitoba.CA | University of Manitoba  Winnipeg, MB, Canada, eh?

[...snip!...]

----- End forwarded message -----

-- 
kevin at ie.suberic.net     if the un could speak...
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