Activation Lock issue on MacBook Pro from eBay auction

Majkkowalski wrote:

1. If I leave the laptop powered on and connected to Wi-Fi, is there any chance Apple would notify the original owner or that the owner might get in touch with me?

Apple does not get involved with lost or stolen devices. However, the owner to whom the Mac is locked may be tracking the location of the Mac, and if they did not part with that Mac voluntarily, they might decide to give that information to the authorities.

If you cannot return the laptop to get it properly prepared for a new owner, or to get a refund, you might want to consider turning the laptop over to the police, to avoid being in possession of stolen property.

2. What if this is just a case where the previous owner sold the laptop and forgot to remove their Apple ID? Is there anything I can do in such a situation to resolve this?

Unless the seller can contact the owner – or the owner CHOOSES to disclose their contact information – there is nothing you can do to remove the Activation Lock.

You cannot remove it. We cannot. Apple will not remove it, and will not disclose the owner's contact information (for privacy and security reasons). (They might not even know it themselves.)

Majkkowalski wrote:

Hello Everyone,

I’m a DIY enthusiast who enjoys repairing devices in my spare time. Recently, I came across a few laptops on eBay being sold in auction, and one of them caught my attention. It was listed by a repair shop, and I decided to take a chance and bid on it. I won the auction, thinking it would be a great project and an opportunity to experience macOS.

However, I encountered some issues:

The laptop was sold "for parts"

If this is what the plan was, not sure why you are posting here ...

it has an **Activation Lock**. Initially, I assumed it had a hardware issue, like faulty memory or storage, but that’s not the case doing further research.

Research? As you seem to know, almost the only reason for an Activation Lock is theft. Not a hardware issue, those don't cause activation locks and I think you knew that.

I now suspect the laptop might have been stolen.

Anyone buying a computer on eBay with an Activation lock is buying a stolen computer. I would return it for a refund (which I believe eBay will support) and would not want to touch such a device. In my country receiving known or suspected stolen property and "selling it for parts" as well as just possessing it is a crime.

Activation Lock for Mac - Apple Support

"Activation Lock is designed to prevent others from using your Mac if it's lost or stolen."

1. If I leave the laptop powered on and connected to Wi-Fi, is there any chance Apple would notify the original owner or that the owner might get in touch with me?

Apple doesn't do that. Its legitimate owner might, but that's up to them.

2. What if this is just a case where the previous owner sold the laptop and forgot to remove their Apple ID? Is there anything I can do in such a situation to resolve this?

Contact him or her.

- I contacted the authorities in the country it was shipped from, and they don’t do any records like that. They advised me to follow up with Apple.

Apple doesn't do that either.

Return the Mac for a full refund, or sell it for parts, like you bought it.

But they do know which laptop is who's.

I believe you meant to write whose... but what you appear to believe simply is not so.

The thing is Im not sure how does Find My work.

Will they get an email

Hey your macbook is active here and it's here.

You can learn how it works by reading Use Find My to locate people, devices, and items - Apple Support including the links within it.

You have been provided accurate information from no fewer than three knowledgeable Mac users. You just don't want to believe them. We can't make you do that any more than we can make someone set up and use Find My.

You will not be able to unlock the device. Return it, use it for parts, or recycle it responsibly.

I would imagine so. Apparently, some people just don't care enough to turn on Find My. The same can be said of a myriad other features Apple offers that people don't know or care about, and it's only after something bad happens (lost / stolen / broken / etc) and then they come here wondering what to do.

Consider yourself fortunate because many people who buy used Macs get them from unscrupulous sellers who are less than forthcoming with a "parts only" description. Apple is very clear about how to prepare a Mac for sale.

Re: “The unlocking thing is grand I know it can't be done. Read a few of them. Want to try to give it a try when the device gets here. “

Give what a try when the device gets here? Removing the Activation Lock without help from the person to whom the notebook is locked?!?

If you know the notebook is Activation Locked, but you have not received it yet, when did you learn that it was Activation Locked? If it was before the sale, why would you even consider buying it?