Scammed on Marketplace with a Fake Samsung Galaxy S23 Phone

graceyym on 26/10/2023 - 14:14
Last edited 27/10/2023 - 15:22 by 1 other user

Hey guys

Not very smart of me (so please hold the abuse) but I've been scammed via FB Marketplace. Purchased a Samsung S23 Ultra 1TB phone for $1500 in cash & after receiving the phone (guy walked off when received cash), realised that the camera app only zooms to 10x. The app also looks a lot different to what it should look like.

The phone physically looks legit, but it's clearly a fake when further inspecting. I followed up with the seller, of course he won't give a refund (saying that I could have swapped it) even though I messaged him as soon as I noticed the issue, only a couple hours after picking up.

Long story short, I know I will never get back my money so taking the big loss on this. What can I do with this phone? It looks great and works pretty well, its just the camera quality that is low from what I can see. Can I sell it somewhere for substantionally less?

Can something like this even be donated or just best to keep it as an expensive paper weight?

Here are some photos of the phone

Outside Camera
https://ibb.co/Hd3gPPm

Camera app in use (max 10x zoom)
https://ibb.co/9Nyz1MB

Camera Options
https://ibb.co/yX4Zvs4

Home screen
https://ibb.co/q1D32c2

Preinstalled Random Video
https://ibb.co/ZNQV9dY

Thanks

Mobile Mobile Phone Samsung Android

Comments

  • ChickenAdobo on 28/10/2023 - 14:01
    +1

    If you asked me it was an obvious fake. Just look at the camera module at the back, the camera bezel is very thick and the digusting screen. I have s22u and can see pixel dot on the screen from your photo

  • Cobalt_ on 28/10/2023 - 16:30

    As Corcivillius and vince088 have said multiple times, CPU-Z will give you a definitive answer as to whether your device is fake or not.
    Install it from the app store and screen grab the first Tab which will be the SoC page. If the architecture is not listed as Qualcomm SM8550 then you will definitely have a fake device.

  • jayc0nn0r on 28/10/2023 - 18:11
    +2

    you should report regardless to the police.. If that person gets enough reports then then there would be a trend starting to appear.

  • ninnypoop on 28/10/2023 - 20:52
    +1

    That video is the Chinese jester. It's essentially saying: 'We got you good. You're dumb'. It's mocking you.

  • liongalahad on 28/10/2023 - 21:35
    +4

    I bought many phones on MP

    most important thing to do is to ask for the IMEI or S/N and do te online check. If it's fake it won't come up. If it comes up, it's legit.
    When you meet with the guy you open the phone, scroll to the IMEI S/N and confirm the number they gave you is the same they gave you before and that info checks out.
    Also, always ask for purchase receipt.

    Finally, you can find on the web many guidelines of how to check if a phone is legit, they vary depending on make/model. Hand the cash only after everything checks out.

    • garetz on 28/10/2023 - 23:50

      some idiot negged you, fixed that

      accurate info

    • GachaGamer on 29/10/2023 - 17:49
      +1

      Who is negging this? You can legitimately check if a Samsung phone is legitimate or not via assessing its IMEI, whether by going into settings, or entering in the code #06# into the phone app, which should bring up the phones IMEI which you can then cross reference with Samsung. You can check the model, number via entering in *#0#.

      Are people legitimately unaware of these things and yet still paying large amounts of cash for dubious deals?

      • liongalahad on 30/10/2023 - 00:11

        probably the scammers are negging lol

      • Love a bargain on 30/10/2023 - 08:43

        Probably because IMEI can be spoofed
        NB I didn't neg you

      • Eiman on 12/01/2024 - 22:09
        -1

        Bough a fake s23 ultra 512gb yesterday. Met up for 1100$ cash in local maccas. Didnt ask for his id or anything. Obviuosly had a fake FB account but I ignored the red flags. Checked everything, #06# and IMEI matched what was on the box. Checked on the internet and the phone was not stolen and came up as a legit s23 ultra. Gave the guy his money as he was rushing me and wanished. Only then I turned on the camera and realized I got scammed. So imei can easily be faked or linked with a real s23 :)

        • Nugs on 13/01/2024 - 09:06

          "ignored the red flags" what the?
          .

          • JIMB0 on 13/01/2024 - 09:15

            @Nugs: Member Since
            11 hours 12 min ago

            Obviously a troll.

            • Nugs on 13/01/2024 - 09:42

              @JIMB0: I didn't even look. how is there no L plate then?
              .

              • JIMB0 on 13/01/2024 - 13:33

                @Nugs: L plate is only for posts, not comments.

  • superuser on 29/10/2023 - 10:05
    -1

    Oh man, there is tons of videos on youtube, at least you should have watched 1 clip before buying.
    You should looking around on the market, meet to buy 1 more to hope catching the scummer.

  • branners on 29/10/2023 - 10:18
    -1

    That sucks but I am sure it has happened to many of us.
    When I got dudded quite a few years ago, my takeaway was to adjust my sights beyond the latest shiny flagships. So my most recent buys have been brand new phones but not new models, bought 12-18 months after they were released, like the Motorola G82, a Pixel 4A and a Vivo Y21S, all deals that were posted on OzB.
    My other vow was, always buy from bricks and mortar outlets, for the receipt and warranty.
    Probably does not help now, but many know how you feel.

    • GachaGamer on 29/10/2023 - 17:35

      So wait, you got scammed by a similar deal, and instead of having the takeaway "I shouldn't be paying large amounts of cash for dubious deals", it was instead "Guess I'll wait instead for the phone to age so I can find a deal". What???

  • LoserScott on 29/10/2023 - 12:16
    -4

    Your first two mistakes were:

    1 not checking the market price of a Samsung ultra,

    2 excepting cash(you should have let him rob you and attack you, there for police need to investigate)

    This site may help because you got done by a: https://www.google.com/search?q=smooth+criminal&oq=smooth+cr…

  • nekro on 29/10/2023 - 12:58

    Bikies

  • The Value on 29/10/2023 - 22:04

    Melbourne man attacked after Facebook Marketplace exchange.

    Fake iPhone.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OzDOEcw8la0

  • jaffar on 30/10/2023 - 01:33

    Apart from the tips to verify serial etc, if you're going to buy an extremely expensive thing off marketplace/gummie, bring a mate. These dropkicks can easily spot someone who doesn't have experience buying. They'll rush the sale and while you may have some reservations, the big $$$ discounts may temporarily blind you. Being inexperienced, you may not be assertive enough to say 'look mate, looks good, but I need to check the serial'. If they are a legit seller, they'll have 0 qualms with an extra minute or two of verification. If they've got something to hide, watch these flogs squirm, or get aggro/defensive and try to get you to hand over the cash ASAP. If you're going to get pushed around or just don't have time for that jazz, just set an OzB (tm) alert for a bargain, prepare GCs, sit back n relax!

  • Homr on 30/10/2023 - 09:17

    Just curiouos, was the phone package sealed?

    • will05 on 30/10/2023 - 14:35

      it didn't matter, there are lot of ways people do phone packaging ( youtube), what it matter whats inside and who's selling why.

      • Homr on 30/10/2023 - 16:36

        well I was just curious and asked how well was the packaged sealed

  • shoomacca on 30/10/2023 - 10:32

    report a cybercrime via the police. They will investigate and speak to the seller. Hopefully you have their contact details, atleast.

  • [Deactivated] on 30/10/2023 - 11:21

    It's very easy to get caught out.

    Like I said, I did buy from interstate once and did a bank wire. Never again.

    Did buy my pixel 2 XL from Gumtree, but the phone was sealed and it did come with all the paperwork from Telstra. I think the student, just upgraded the plan but sold the phone for cash and kept his original phone.

    Phone lasted me a good 5 years!

    These buyers are pretty smart, and he basically said how do I know you didn't swap the phone over. It's become a he said she said.

    I think before buying a phone, you need a photo of the serial number, and a whole checklist. That way if a seller tries to play that card you can say no. The serial number matches the one you sold me.

    But honestly, if this was the good old days, nothing would be (mod: edited).

  • Roe Jogan on 30/10/2023 - 11:48

    there is a lesson to be learned here, don't buy expensive shit from Facebook market place

  • RichardDo on 30/10/2023 - 14:16

    I would goto a phone repair place. Ask if they can authenticate a phone before purchase and organize an appt.
    If the dude does not turn up you can cancel the appt no money lost. If they do pay X to have the phone authenticated.
    It will cost you less than getting ripped and it will make a scanner actively avoid you.

  • will05 on 30/10/2023 - 14:30
    +2

    I remember it happened to me , guy tried to sell me fake phone (which he came in possession like this, was reselling etc) in front of his family 😒. when I went to their backyard/junkyard I had a feeling so I left cash on table and open the case in front of them. barely in 30 seconds after opening I figured its fake phone. I smashed the phone on ground and picked up my cash. didn't botherd to reply those long faces for wasting my time 🤬 .

    there are few things you could do to like imei check, country of manufacturing and most importantly invoice/ Bill of sale. without thse I wouln't step a foot for maretplace messages.

  • beebul on 30/10/2023 - 15:45

    Can't believe there are fake phones now, makes sense though, high value item and in demand. I mean there are fake everything.

    If any solace to the OP at least you have made people here aware to watch out… although I've only ever sold on Marketplace, it's a den of scum and villainy for buyers!

  • mike6969 on 30/10/2023 - 17:04
    +1

    Thanks for reporting it.
    I was thinking of buying from a marketplace I'll be extra careful now

  • AuQld on 30/10/2023 - 21:45

    Paid 1000$ from Samsung for the S23 ultra, you need your head checked..

  • legendestroyer on 02/11/2023 - 10:17
    +2

    Remain vigilant everyone. Always be wary especially when buying expensive products.

  • Koalabeer on 28/11/2023 - 09:30

    Keep clear of marketplace friend sent $$$ bank , bank sent a text they’d blocked transfer brilliant on their behalf. $300 so lesson learnt . Scammers delight that place . For sake of few dollars go to a bricks store .

  • JimmyChooz on 13/01/2024 - 09:59

    Interesting thread but the real question is why do people take such a risk to save a few dollars? . Stores have warranty and nothing like a new phone right never used, it’s very mind boggling how you can take risks with thousand dollars. I’ve looked myself on marketplace SOME adds I can see it a mile away. Seems a scammers delight personally buy what you can afford simple from shop.

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