Need advice please

I live in NY. The story started couple days ago when a special agent who works for the Army called several times (she is in GA). My wife took the phone and didnot gave to me since nowdays there are a lot of spam. Finally I got an email from her, below.

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My name is Special Agent XXXXX and I work for the US Army Criminal Investigation Command. I am working an investigation where government computers were being diverted and sold on E-bay. Your name is registered to one of the computers. You are not in any trouble as you have done nothing wrong, and I do not want to take your computer. I merely need to verify the serial number to determine it was in fact owned by the government. I have tried to contact your residence and have been unsuccessful. If you could please give me a call or a way to contact you it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your cooperation.
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I did bought some computers from ebay, the last one was last year and it's brand new in the box. I replied her email stating that I'm reluctant to release my personal belongings data as I don't know for sure if this is real. I asked her the story in detail and to be spesific what type or brand of the computer she's investigating. She replied below.

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I understand your hesitation and am happy to provide you with the information I have available.

"ABCD" computers has you listed as the registered owner. The computer is a "Type of Computer", and I suspect the serial number is 12345. It should have been shipped from Columbus, GA and our subject usually used UPS as his shipping company.

Our subject in the investigation's name is Mr. "Man", and his login to ebay was "Man". He sold most of the computer for between $700 and $1200 depending on what came with the system. He may have had other names but so far the investigation has only revealed this user ID.

He stole several computers, computer accessories (such as batteries and hard drives), and printers that we have identified. I would be interested to know how much you paid for the system, if you purchased any other equipment from this individual, or if you recommended any friends make purchases from him.

We are working the case jointly with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Mr. "Man" is pending charges by the US Attorney. We are trying to get a complete list of what was actually stolen by this individual and to do this we must verify each piece of equipment. Unfortunately he was very deceptive
and some of these computers have not been located yet (that is why I am interested if your purchased any other equipment).

Again let me emphasize that we do not want to seize your property. This had already been approved by the US Attorney, that we do not need to collect the property as evidence. However, if you do have one of the computers, I would
request that a CID or FBI agent in your area be able to confirm that computer serial number and take a photograph.

I don't mean to inconvenience you, but this individual stole several thousand dollars worth of government computers purchased with US tax dollars and we want to ensure we have an accurate reflection of the depth of illegal activity.

Thank you for your time and assistance. If you have any further questions please contact me through e-mail or my office phone at 706-xxx--xxxx.
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Everything she said about the computer and ebay seller was correct and precise. At that time I replied that I'm not at home so I have to check the serial number later, and I asked her to fax me the us attorney letter but I have not received it yet.

I am willing to help her but I'm worried that the feds will take my computer away before I have a chance to backup my data. I have upgraded the computer a lot and cannot backup the data easily because it's 300gigs. I added 3 more harddrives. All I can do is take the additional harddrives but I'm still using them.

My stupid questions are:
- Despite what she said in her email, could the feds possibly take my computer away?
- If the feds knock my door and I'm not ready, is it possible to ask them to wait until I restore the computer to it's original manuf specs? i.e. take all the additional components (3 harddrives and dvdr).

That you first call the US army, at a post near you. Channel your call to the posts, criminal investigation division. Speak to an agent there, giving that person all the details of the person that is contacting you. Tell the agent you want to verify that the person contacting you is indeed an agent of the U.S. Army. The agent there should be able to verify this information quickly. This will help in two ways this will verify that the person contacting you is indeed an agent, and also establish a contact at this division. In all likelihood if this is real and the agent decides to further her investigation, the post you have already contacted will be the one to contact you.
If the person is not an agent of the U.S. Army, The agent you speak with will want to start an investigation of his own.
If not, At that point, you should consider, whether you should contact an attorney. I would urge you to do so, to protect yourself in the event this goes any further. If so, stop here and follow his advice.

If indeed you find that the agent is real, and you do not feel you need an attorney, it would be a good idea to contact her. From what you have stated she does not plan on charging you or confiscating your computer. But if she feels you are avoiding her or delaying the investigation, I would say, she could in fact send out agents to confiscate the computer. The computer could be deemed evidence of a criminal investigation and confiscated.
If this agent needs any further information other than the serial numbers of the equipment you purchased or if the agent attempts to question you further. Stop there advise her you feel you need an attorney.

Originally posted by Ody96
I live in NY. The story started couple days ago when a special agent who works for the Army called several times (she is in GA). My wife took the phone and didnot gave to me since nowdays there are a lot of spam. Finally I got an email from her, below.

-------
My name is Special Agent XXXXX and I work for the US Army Criminal Investigation Command. I am working an investigation where government computers were being diverted and sold on E-bay. Your name is registered to one of the computers. You are not in any trouble as you have done nothing wrong, and I do not want to take your computer. I merely need to verify the serial number to determine it was in fact owned by the government. I have tried to contact your residence and have been unsuccessful. If you could please give me a call or a way to contact you it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your cooperation.
----

I did bought some computers from ebay, the last one was last year and it's brand new in the box. I replied her email stating that I'm reluctant to release my personal belongings data as I don't know for sure if this is real. I asked her the story in detail and to be spesific what type or brand of the computer she's investigating. She replied below.

-------
I understand your hesitation and am happy to provide you with the information I have available.

"ABCD" computers has you listed as the registered owner. The computer is a "Type of Computer", and I suspect the serial number is 12345. It should have been shipped from Columbus, GA and our subject usually used UPS as his shipping company.

Our subject in the investigation's name is Mr. "Man", and his login to ebay was "Man". He sold most of the computer for between $700 and $1200 depending on what came with the system. He may have had other names but so far the investigation has only revealed this user ID.

He stole several computers, computer accessories (such as batteries and hard drives), and printers that we have identified. I would be interested to know how much you paid for the system, if you purchased any other equipment from this individual, or if you recommended any friends make purchases from him.

We are working the case jointly with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Mr. "Man" is pending charges by the US Attorney. We are trying to get a complete list of what was actually stolen by this individual and to do this we must verify each piece of equipment. Unfortunately he was very deceptive
and some of these computers have not been located yet (that is why I am interested if your purchased any other equipment).

Again let me emphasize that we do not want to seize your property. This had already been approved by the US Attorney, that we do not need to collect the property as evidence. However, if you do have one of the computers, I would
request that a CID or FBI agent in your area be able to confirm that computer serial number and take a photograph.

I don't mean to inconvenience you, but this individual stole several thousand dollars worth of government computers purchased with US tax dollars and we want to ensure we have an accurate reflection of the depth of illegal activity.

Thank you for your time and assistance. If you have any further questions please contact me through e-mail or my office phone at 706-xxx--xxxx.
---------

Everything she said about the computer and ebay seller was correct and precise. At that time I replied that I'm not at home so I have to check the serial number later, and I asked her to fax me the us attorney letter but I have not received it yet.

I am willing to help her but I'm worried that the feds will take my computer away before I have a chance to backup my data. I have upgraded the computer a lot and cannot backup the data easily because it's 300gigs. I added 3 more harddrives. All I can do is take the additional harddrives but I'm still using them.

My stupid questions are:
- Despite what she said in her email, could the feds possibly take my computer away?
- If the feds knock my door and I'm not ready, is it possible to ask them to wait until I restore the computer to it's original manuf specs? i.e. take all the additional components (3 harddrives and dvdr).

Of course it is possible. Any thing is possible but based upon what she has told you it isn't probable. She wants your co-operation and your statement to convict the suspect. A computer isn't going to help her with that. Your statement and verification that the serial number on the computer that you bought from the suspect matches the serial number on one of the listed computers stolen goes a long way towards proving up the case. If they wanted to jack you around, they would've already done so. They wouldn't be e-mailing you, requesting your co-operation.

Something else to think about is that they may feel you are hindering an investigation. They could possibly get a search warrant, enter your house with or without you, and sieze the computer. They could very possibly sieze other computer related items for the purpose of identification later. All they asked for was the serial number and a picture. They could demand a whole lot more. What is the harm? If you sent in a warranty card you have already given your information to thousands of people. I'd call a local army base, verify this person's identity, then send the info. If they want the pc they will come get it, you dodging the issue will only get you involved criminally.