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Brian M.

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Mar 21, 2022
4
33
I am posting the serial number of my MacBook Pro here hoping that it will turn up somewhere in the world. [Mod note: Serial number removed; see post #7]

The laptop was stolen from me at the Zuglo train station in Budapest, Hungary two weeks ago. It had my life's work of 25 years and all my personal archives, including medical records and family photos. Because we were fleeing the war in Ukraine, I did not have time to make any cloud backups. All local backups were also in the backpack that got stolen. I got robbed almost immediately after crossing the border from Ukraine to Hungary.

The notebook is in "lock requested" status via iCloud, which means the people who took it have not turned wifi on. Therefore, it can't be located via the "Find my..." site. Locals have told me that the going rate for stolen M1 Macbooks are 100-150 euros because all parts are either serialized or soldered onto the motherboard. I have also heard that some of these goods get moved to Bosnia, Serbia or other countries outside the EU where they can be traded more freely.

If you somehow ended up buying this laptop off of someone, by mistake or for any other reason, I will happily buy it from you for $2,000 with no questions asked. I will also travel anywhere in the world to pick it up in person. I am totally devastated and cannot go back to work or go about my daily life until I recover this machine (this is on top of losing a home, circle of friends, and any resemblance of a normal life due to a war).

The Macbook is a 16-inch November 2021 (notch, no touchbar) M1 Pro, 8/512MB, USA version. I hope that admins let this post stay due to the circumstances.

EDIT: If you work for a laptop repair shop or a pawn shop, in any country, please check your inventory for this serial number. Even you find it without a screen, keyboard etc, there's a chance we could bring it back to life, I will still be happy to buy it.
 
Last edited by a moderator:

AmazingB

macrumors newbie
Mar 25, 2022
1
5
I am posting the serial number of my MacBook Pro here hoping that it will turn up somewhere in the world.

The laptop was stolen from me at the Zuglo train station in Budapest, Hungary two weeks ago. It had my life's work of 25 years and all my personal archives, including medical records and family photos. Because we were fleeing the war in Ukraine, I did not have time to make any cloud backups. All local backups were also in the backpack that got stolen. I got robbed almost immediately after crossing the border from Ukraine to Hungary.

The notebook is in "lock requested" status via iCloud, which means the people who took it have not turned wifi on. Therefore, it can't be located via the "Find my..." site. Locals have told me that the going rate for stolen M1 Macbooks are 100-150 euros because all parts are either serialized or soldered onto the motherboard. I have also heard that some of these goods get moved to Bosnia, Serbia or other countries outside the EU where they can be traded more freely.

If you somehow ended up buying this laptop off of someone, by mistake or for any other reason, I will happily buy it from you for $2,000 with no questions asked. I will also travel anywhere in the world to pick it up in person. I am totally devastated and cannot go back to work or go about my daily life until I recover this machine (this is on top of losing a home, circle of friends, and any resemblance of a normal life due to a war).

The Macbook is a 16-inch November 2021 (notch, no touchbar) M1 Pro, 8/512MB, USA version. I hope that admins let this post stay due to the circumstances.
I'm shipping you the same model of this MBP from UAE to you if you have proof of purchase and I will handle all payments and fees.

Regards
 

Brian M.

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Mar 21, 2022
4
33
I'm shipping you the same model of this MBP from UAE to you if you have proof of purchase and I will handle all payments and fees.

Regards

That's such a generous offer, and I am grateful that there are people like you in the world. When I first read your message, I thought maybe my Macbook got shipped to the UAE via the black market and got really excited that I could get it back!

We are still searching the whole Budapest for the stolen stuff (the thieves also stole my dog and sold him at a train station for 30 euro; we got him back thanks to a very successful Facebook search). I am not thinking about money right now. I am only thinking about getting my files back so I can get back to work.

Your offer is very touching, but I could never accept a free laptop from someone. Still hoping that the person that ends up with my Macbook googles the serial number and finds this thread.
 

Pilot Jones

macrumors 6502a
Oct 2, 2020
891
1,675
Sending you all the love in the world @Brian M. ❤️

I'm so sorry this happened and hope that your laptop finds its way back home.

Do post to other active online communities as well! There are plenty of Apple-centric Discord Servers and Subreddits that may be able to help you out. Here's a short list to help you get started :)









 

Brian M.

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Mar 21, 2022
4
33
The MacBook has been found, and, amazingly, it's practically intact. Thank you admins for allowing this to stay up, and to everyone for their support.

The machine's serial number is back to "clean" status, OK to delete the thread! :D
 

F23

macrumors 6502a
Jan 4, 2014
790
2,068
The MacBook has been found, and, amazingly, it's practically intact. Thank you admins for allowing this to stay up, and to everyone for their support.

The machine's serial number is back to "clean" status, OK to delete the thread! :D
LET'S GOOOOOOOOOO
 
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tbobmccoy

macrumors 6502a
Jul 24, 2007
969
219
Austin, TX
I hope admin let threads like yours stay up forever. Thank you, person who returned this MacBook Pro. This is an amazing story.
 

Brian M.

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Mar 21, 2022
4
33
I hope admin let threads like yours stay up forever. Thank you, person who returned this MacBook Pro. This is an amazing story.

I wish it had been returned voluntarily. We found the thief by talking to a lot of different people and finally found real witnesses, then the police tracked the chain of people that sold and re-sold the laptop and busted them.
 

tbobmccoy

macrumors 6502a
Jul 24, 2007
969
219
Austin, TX
I wish it had been returned voluntarily. We found the thief by talking to a lot of different people and finally found real witnesses, then the police tracked the chain of people that sold and re-sold the laptop and busted them.
Justice is justice, though. I do hope that the people who chose instead to steal will come out of this experience knowing that was a poor choice and how to make better choices in the future.
 

DMG35

Contributor
May 27, 2021
2,527
8,170
Geez, your original post made me sick to my stomach for you. I'm so happy for you that you got it back, and what an amazing community where people were offering to purchase you another one. I have no doubt that we would have rallied and purchased one for you together as a community. At the end of the day its just a machine, but its painful when you lose something with so much time and energy poured into it. Glad it returned safely to you and that more importantly, you and your family are safe.
 
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SupremeMayo

macrumors regular
Sep 7, 2021
127
114
The MacBook has been found, and, amazingly, it's practically intact. Thank you admins for allowing this to stay up, and to everyone for their support.

The machine's serial number is back to "clean" status, OK to delete the thread! :D
This made my day. Glad you got it back!!!
 

chengengaun

macrumors 6502
Feb 7, 2012
371
854
@Brian M. I remembered your post from late March and am very glad you got back your Mac (and dog). I am sorry about what happened because of the war and hope you and your family are safe and sound. Best wishes!
 
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