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How to check if a PC is stolen

Anonymous user -  
 Anonymous user -
Hello,

Thank you for taking the time to read my message.
I would like to buy a second-hand PC on LBC, but I want to inquire beforehand to know if this PC is "clean"
(because of course, everyone is supposed to know before buying a product if it is stolen or not… oh, come on...)

So my question is the following: is there a database, website, or anything else that lists the serial numbers of stolen computer items, please?

Thank you in advance,
Best regards

1 answer

  1.
    Judge_DT Posted messages 27651 Registration date   Status Moderator Last intervention   10 014
     
    Hello,

    To my knowledge, there is no public database of this kind.

    However, there are a few reflexes... ask if the person has an invoice and if so, ask them to produce it...

    Buy the product in person and if the computer is not reset, ask the seller to unlock it....

    --
    ~ To know how to listen is to possess, beyond one's own, the minds of others... said Leonardo da Vinci.
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    1. Anonymous user
       
      Hi,

      Thanks :)
      So if the seller doesn't know the password, it’s starting off badly ^^
      In the ad, it says "there's a Windows password that I don't know (the computer was from a company)"

      So three options:
      - Either an employee took a computer during a hardware change
      - Or it's stolen
      - Or it’s just some guy picking up PCs from the street or dumps like me to tinker with them lol

      What do you think? Is this purchase risky?
      0
    2. Judge_DT Posted messages 27651 Registration date   Status Moderator Last intervention   10 014 > Anonymous user
       
      A PC coming from a company... usually, we know the password.

      I know few companies that allow machines to leave without being cleared or formatted when they're no longer in use, given that professional or critical data could be present... whether they are sold, thrown away, given to employees, etc.

      So, this point is already illogical. If it were his, he would know the password, even if it comes from a company, since he was using it. Otherwise, no password should be present.

      And I strongly bet that you were attracted to it because the specs are quite impressive, while the price is minimal? Combined with the fact that he doesn't have the password... everything suggests something suspicious. :-)
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    3. Anonymous user > Judge_DT Posted messages 27651 Registration date   Status Moderator Last intervention  
       
      Yeah, that's exactly it for the price and the configuration.
      OK, so I think I'm not going to take the plunge.

      I'm not really sure what I'm risking if I buy it, but I think it wouldn't be pretty..
      Thanks :)
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    4. Judge_DT Posted messages 27651 Registration date   Status Moderator Last intervention   10 014 > Anonymous user
       
      You could get charged with receiving stolen goods or complicity.

      In general, attractive prices, high specifications... it's either stolen goods or scams from scammers...

      For this kind of case, you have a better chance of turning to specialized resellers in refurbished products, who sometimes have good configurations at good prices, but with a guarantee and certainty of the machine's origin, however.
      0
    5. Fallentree Posted messages 2445 Status Member 210
       
      The MAC address of a PC is said to be unique. Those who say unique...
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