[Defeat]

Doesn't Apple block devices (based on the serial number) that have been reported to be lost in transit?

They could block the IMEI of phones, but there's no "blocking" of a laptop
Maybe they could ban the Apple ID of whoever logs in (would be wrong though, you'd be punishing someone who probably bought it from whoever SEd' it) but the laptop will be working just fine unless an Apple account is required, which I doubt

Yeah I imagine you could easily get whatever block they put on it lifted by saying you bought it cash.