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Wed, Jan 18 2012 13:42:50

Man tracks stolen laptop hundreds of miles away, calls thief

A man's laptop is stolen, but he's able to track it remotely and with the help of social media, recover it. (NSFW language. More story links at bottom.)

  1. seanpower
    Shit! Twitter, help! Prey just found my stolen (as of three days ago) laptop. Here's the report. I see the guy! http://awe.sm/5J8gE
    seanpower
    Wed, Jan 18 2012 11:48:46
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  2. Webtrends Engage New Orleans 2010
    seanpower
    Tue, Feb 02 2010 10:36:21
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  3. This guy is Sean Power, a Canadian author and tech consultant. (He works for a company you may know - Cheezburger Inc.) His laptop got stolen, along with a lot of other stuff. But he's using Prey, free software that can track your computer.

  4. seanpower
    In my bag: my birth certificate, short form birth certificate, health card, cell phone, 17" macbook, and $$ :/
    seanpower
    Wed, Jan 18 2012 11:48:46
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  5. seanpower
    Prey sent me a report & pic of a guy playing with my stolen laptop. What should I do? http://awe.sm/5J8hu
    seanpower
    Wed, Jan 18 2012 11:48:46
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  6. seanpower
    HAH. He's loading skype! I have his username
    seanpower
    Wed, Jan 18 2012 11:48:46
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  7. seanpower
    His name is "Paolo Votano"
    seanpower
    Wed, Jan 18 2012 11:48:46
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  8. seanpower
    OK. Paolo Votano is playing with my laptop *right now* at Oficina Latina in NYC (a tequila bar)
    seanpower
    Wed, Jan 18 2012 11:48:46
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  9. seanpower
    The reason why I'm not there? I had to go to Canada for a few days. I'm on my way to New York tomorrow.
    seanpower
    Wed, Jan 18 2012 11:48:46
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  10. As Sean shares this info, Twitter users are helping out in various ways. Some urged caution. One woman showed up on site to see what was going on. Others doing quick research found out Paolo may actually be part-owner of the bar.

  11. @seanpower enhanced http://twitpic.com/4wvl6l
    ttmygh
    Thu, May 12 2011 23:23:09
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  12. hughmcguire
    @seanpower dude he's the *owner* of the resto: www.barspace.tv/oficinalatinanyc
    hughmcguire
    Thu, May 12 2011 23:07:35
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  13. Inb4daPop
    @seanpower Google his name, he is a CO-OWNER of the bar!!!!
    Inb4daPop
    Wed, Jan 18 2012 11:48:46
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  14. pfasano
    @seanpower I am sure we can virtually arrange a geek squad intervention to go reclaim your gear. You need help rounding up a posse?
    pfasano
    Wed, Jan 18 2012 11:48:46
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  15. yama
    @seanpower don't play macho hero - be a smart hero - do what you do best, capture data, measure, assess and report - data > sword...
    yama
    Wed, Jan 18 2012 11:48:46
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  16. Sean decides to call the cops, and continues to report what's going on.
  17. seanpower
    Calling 1st precinct now.
    seanpower
    Wed, Jan 18 2012 11:48:46
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  18. seanpower
    My computer is currently being used on 24 Prince St. at Oficina Latina
    seanpower
    Wed, Jan 18 2012 11:48:46
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  19. seanpower
    This is the bar where this is happening: http://awe.sm/5J8j7
    seanpower
    Wed, Jan 18 2012 11:48:46
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  20. seanpower
    Here he is logged in on skype on my computer (and my IM is on!!): http://awe.sm/5J8j5
    seanpower
    Wed, Jan 18 2012 11:48:46
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  21. seanpower
    Here's him logged into gmail : http://awe.sm/5J8jM
    seanpower
    Wed, Jan 18 2012 11:48:46
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  22. seanpower
    OK, so i have someone waiting at the bar for the cops to come.
    seanpower
    Wed, Jan 18 2012 11:48:46
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  23. seanpower
    She's pretending that she's waiting for someone there. Smart girl.
    seanpower
    Wed, Jan 18 2012 11:48:46
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  24. People continue to dig up info on Paolo, and more offer to head to the bar. Sean warns them not to jump in.

  25. streko
    @nickreese @seanpower @LewisHowes sean has a girl at the bar, doesnt want her there alone while waiting for cops to show. Can he lend a hand
    streko
    Wed, Jan 18 2012 11:48:46
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