He was scammed, what can we do?!?

So my friend was looking for a laptop computer and found a nice mac notebook for an extremely low price. He talked to the guy selling it and reassured he would receive the laptop and stuff like that. So my friend sent the money for the laptop and to make a long story short, finds out his money has basically been scammed. He's tried calling his bank to freeze the money which he can't do and besides calling the place he sent the money to he doesn't know how or if he can get his money back. So i was wondering if anyone at all has any idea's on how to fix this situation and possibly get his money back.

Also...i was hope that no one will try to insult him in saying how dumb it was of him, he was tricked and he feels horrible already and unless you're willing to help please just keep your thoughts to yourself
Additional Details
Also, he did talk to the guy online who reasurred him the laptop would be sent to him and he gave him his address and name (the seller did). So i'm not sure if that can help at all

If this was an online scam, call the police, who will direct you to a fraud unit. Give them the information you have. They will give you advice. If he sent a check, you may be able to track down what account the check was cashed into. If you paid via credit card, your bank should be able to cancel the charges if you were scammed.

File a report with the better business bureau.

If you can find the guy who scammed you, yes you can sue. But even if you win, there's no way to collect.

If all of that doesn't work, contact the seller and state:

If you do not return me my money within 7 days, I will

1. I have called the police and reported you as fraudulent
2. Reported you to the Better Business Bureau
3. I will sue you in small claims court

This is called a demand letter. I wrote one to a guy who wouldn't pay me for work. He paid me 3 days later after receiving this letter. It shows you are serious.

voodounlou

You should call the police and see if there is any follow up they can do. Unfortunately, unless he has a receipt or any sort of written document stating that money was to be exchanged for the laptop, it's not likely to go anywhere.

Did your friend meet this seller in person? If so, does he have contact information? If he doesn't, did he find it through a site like e-bay? E-bay will probably have some sort of system for protecting it's buyers.

If all else fails, threaten to take the person to small claims court. The downside to this is that if you have no proof that a) the laptop was to be sold or exchanged to you b) you gave money/services/trade c) the computer was NOT given in violation of the contract... well you'll have a hard time making a case. However, maybe just the threat of litigation will force this person to cough up the money or the computer... good luck!

sunset

Report it to the police immediately.

Kathryn L

you do have a receipt (the way he paid for the computer) and if you have any correspondence (such as emails from the seller/scammer)

save these and any other correspondences and go to the police. if the seller was from out of the country, you may just be out of luck, however, i would definitely call the police for advice. if they can help you, check out your states attorney general website. they may be able to give your more info specific to your state.

the attorney generals are passing more and more laws every years to protect consumers from internet scams

Elliott M

you file a complaint with the states attorneys generals office consumers division

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