I Just Got Scammed $1100 by Buying a Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra from Facebook Marketplace

meong on 18/03/2025 - 21:23
Last edited 18/03/2025 - 23:33 by 2 other users

Met someone on Facebook at the park, paid cash.

Person in Facebook profile doesn't match.

Obviously catfished, but it was not obvious to me at the time because:

Box was sealed. It has matching IMEIs on the box, on the phone software, and I was even able to add the phone's IMEI to my Samsung account page. It came with a very legit looking receipt from JB Hi-Fi.

But everything else about the phone was all wrong until I started to play around with it.

It's slow, chimes and icons are weird even though it said it has OneUI 7. Phone doesn't support wireless charging or fast charging.

It was an S25 Ultra.

Camera lenses were fake. Like when you zoom it is obvious it's a digital zoom. Only one lens was ever active (you cover the lens to see if it switches to the other lens when zooming).

Went to two police stations to file a report. Both refused to file a report because they cannot see that the phone is fake because the IMEI matches. They have suggested me to go through JB Hi-fi or Samsung Store to verify if the phone is fake.

I won't be able to recover the money. The police are not going to catch anyone from the limited info. I really only wanted to report it, so they have it in the file somewhere to hopefully add to their knowledge that this is happening.

I'm obviously not in the right mind right now. I'm aware lessons learned. But please ask me anything about this scam. I'm happy to take photos to show how sophisticated the packaging is. It even came with a seal with a pull tab on the box.

Really, just posting for awareness. Please go easy on me, I just lost $1100.

Just adding some learnings here:

Common scams:
https://www.tiktok.com/@iskiprodz/video/7411411946626403591
https://www.tiktok.com/@nextgenant/video/7482663113255341354
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxeTXGEzI_0
https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/807968
https://ibb.co/qM6q64tS
https://www.reddit.com/r/AusLegal/comments/1frzr4p/bought_fa…
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskAnAustralian/comments/1i76laj/fr…

Some photos:
https://files.ozbargain.com.au/upload/41247/120458/20250318_…
https://files.ozbargain.com.au/upload/41247/120457/20250318_…
https://files.ozbargain.com.au/upload/41247/120456/20250318_…
https://files.ozbargain.com.au/upload/41247/120454/screensho…
https://files.ozbargain.com.au/upload/41247/120459/20250318_…

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Comments

  • Aap Ke Papa on 18/03/2025 - 21:30
    +14

    Sounds like cloned or spoofed IMEIs along with software that mimics the official interface.
    Sorry to hear that.
    thanks for making people aware about this.
    Instead of a park, for an expensive item always organise to meet up at your local Safer Exchange Site

    • meong on 18/03/2025 - 21:39
      +1

      You are correct. Police officer told me that too that next time meet up in front of police station.

      • WatchNerd on 18/03/2025 - 22:48
        +1

        Met someone on Facebook at the park

        There's your 1st alarm bell, especially when buying something for over 1K.

  • Hybroid on 18/03/2025 - 21:32
    +1

    A mobile phone scam on Facebook? NO WAY!

    Please go easy on me, i just lost $1100.

    I do get that, but you really thought you were getting a $2,000+ phone, that's been out for a month, brand new sealed for half-price from some random joe? Really?

    • meong on 18/03/2025 - 21:35
      -2

      Hard to explain but it could've been legitimate at $1400-$1600 due to the preorder deals.

      • coffeeinmyveins on 18/03/2025 - 21:37
        +3

        except you paid $1,100, not $1400-$1600.

        no-body is giving you a bargain like that.

        • AwesomeAndrew on 18/03/2025 - 21:51
          +1

          It was possible to buy S25 Ultra at launch for around $1000. Although it's true hardly anyone would be willing to sell it for $1100 currently.

          • meong on 18/03/2025 - 21:59
            +1

            @AwesomeAndrew: Yes, even someone here commented that they were only able to sell at $1600 at launch.

        • CyberMurning on 19/03/2025 - 01:50

          Except the lord of ozbargain.com.au

    • browser on 18/03/2025 - 22:30
      +2

      It's not impossible, many partner companies have access to vouchers to buy S25/+/Ultra at 50% RRP from Samsung EPP. Though there are strict guidelines not for resell and limited to one per person.

      Maybe an impulse purchase, maybe they need the money to buy something else.

      Cautious but not immediately a red flag.

      • Hybroid on 18/03/2025 - 22:32
        +2

        The receipt literally says it was purchased for $2,737 from JB Hifi… No one's reselling that for $1,100 legitimately.

        • browser on 18/03/2025 - 22:43
          +8

          If someone paid $2,737 recently, still new and sealed, then turnaround to sell at $1,100 then definitely something wrong.

          Also that receipt looks fake, GST only has a single decimal, $248.8 instead of $248.82. But hard to spot at the time.

        • BewareOfThe Dog on 18/03/2025 - 23:16

          Stolen, drugs?

      • BewareOfThe Dog on 18/03/2025 - 23:15

        That was the best thing about working for hn. 50% off Rrp. Better than the 4 to 6% off from another brand.

  • tsunamisurfer on 18/03/2025 - 21:36

    what were you trying to buy?

    • meong on 18/03/2025 - 21:37

      Forgot to mention it. I've added this above now. It was an S25 Ultra.

  • snapper17 on 18/03/2025 - 21:37
    +8

    Don’t buy any electronics from Facebook ect.

    Jb have deals on mobile plans with a jb gift card

    Also almost every week either Cole’s or Woolies has a 10% off a gift card that can be used at jb or good guys or apple ect.

    Just buy an older model on special if the budget doesn’t stretch to the latest model

    Remember if it sounds like a deal too good to be true it’s a scam

    • FireRunner on 18/03/2025 - 21:59

      Don’t buy any electronics from Facebook ect

      A bit broad a category. You can definitely find some bargains. Generally used items that others are selling due to an upgrade.

      A brand new, new release popular item, yeah, that’s quite risky

    • neoleo on 19/03/2025 - 03:01
      -1

      To reduce the risk, just meet in JB-HiFi and ask the staff to verify the phone's authenticity. A lot of CCTV inside too …

      Btw, I got extremely cheap Thinkpad laptops and still good quality and good battery from Facebook Marketplace. I went to the seller's house (an old lady that works in a big 4 bank, from checking her profile) though. One of the best bargain this year for me :)

  • coffeeinmyveins on 18/03/2025 - 21:38
    +2

    This is why you don't take risks to save a few hundred bucks.

    Lesson learnt. Go and buy the real thing.

    • meong on 18/03/2025 - 21:38
      +11

      Of course. Just pointing out how sophisticated the scams are that even police is unable to acknowledge that its fake.

      • trustnoone on 19/03/2025 - 03:19
        +1

        Yeah this is pretty full on IMO and I feel it might be something bigger so its a shame police won't take the report since I bet it will come back to them.
        Typical scam is its rocks inside or a cheaper phone. Usually by a scammer who has spent the time trying to figure how to get in and out quickly without raising suspicion.
        Someone trying to get legit IMEIs, cloning it onto the phone, knowing what type of phone to get so it doesn't initially arouse suspicion, to think to fake the JBHIFI receipt and actually doing it. Its a lot more advanced then a typical scammer. I imagine they'd have to be pulling those IMEIs from somewhere too which isn't great (maybe they have a list from somewhere, or I'd even go as far as working with a certain people in certain country that has some dodgy electronic stores).

        End of the day OP this sucks, I get that people are saying if its too good to be true or whatever. But it still sucks and I understand how even saving some money especially hearing how theres like a billion Education store/ coroporate store/trade in deal that samsung does that you might think there is a possiblity.

        But I think you can't feel too bad for yourself OP, this is very advanced and would catch MANY PEOPLE. Do what you can to report this, and then just remember your health and mental wellbeing is worth a million times more then the amount of money lost.

        • jellykingdom on 19/03/2025 - 07:40

          Agreed. This is not exactly a case of "what a silly buyer, he bought a brick", this is a pretty sophisticated operation that would catch 99% of people (assuming you did fall for the overall too-good-to-be-true offer of course!)

  • HopSkipJumpFallSplat on 18/03/2025 - 21:40
    +4

    Another scam being done with new high value phones is they get it on a plan and pay it off, so its insured as it hasnt been payed for upfront, they sell it then report it as stolen, they get a replacement and the one reported stolen then gets blocked via its imei.

    • meong on 18/03/2025 - 21:40
      +1

      This time the IMEI wasn't even appearing as illegitimate or blocked.

      Police also did the checks themselves.

      • arkie0 on 18/03/2025 - 22:11

        It will be reported stolen after it has been sold to you. You're left with a brick.

        • meong on 18/03/2025 - 22:13

          It is not even a legitimate phone to begin with.

  • askbargain on 18/03/2025 - 21:44
    +2

    Sorry to hear. Thanks for posting.

  • modbutcher on 18/03/2025 - 21:49
    +7

    This scam is widespread. There’s also a website where scammers can purchase these blank receipts and then fill them in with their own details. I’ve seen versions for both Officeworks and JB Hi-Fi!

    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/807968

    https://ibb.co/qM6q64tS

    https://www.reddit.com/r/AusLegal/comments/1frzr4p/bought_fa…

    https://www.reddit.com/r/AskAnAustralian/comments/1i76laj/fr…

    • star-ggg on 18/03/2025 - 21:54
      +3

      Interesting. Looks like the same counterfeit factory churning out fakes of yearly flagships using same software and camera.

      • Clear on 18/03/2025 - 22:40

        Goophone, as the fake iPhone's are known as. The original factory produced them as a budget alternative to the real deal and overtime other factories copied to just scam people.

  • BoltThrower on 18/03/2025 - 21:53
    +1

    Ask a friend to buy another one then catch them. They'll have a different FB account and choose a different location, but the advertisement, price and area should approximate the one you responded to.

  • pegaxs on 18/03/2025 - 21:56

    lol… really. With the amount of scams on Fartbook and the plethora of posts here about being scammed, you still thought it was a good idea to YOLO $1100 at a random.

    • meong on 18/03/2025 - 21:58

      I've sold more expensive items in the past.

      I just didn't think IMEI can be spoofed that easily it is even validated in Samsung website.

      • lgacb08 on 18/03/2025 - 22:19

        because that imei is from a legitimate Samsung phone, just the phone is fake

        • meong on 18/03/2025 - 22:20

          I just thought if it was legit, shouldn't that prevent the IMEI to be added multiple times?

          • Wort on 19/03/2025 - 00:41

            @meong: To the Samsung website? Probably not, they likely need to allow imei to be registered multiple times (for booking repairs etc)

            what do get dialing the imei lookup code? *#06#

    • DashCam AKA Rolts on 18/03/2025 - 22:11
      -1

      you still thought it was a good idea to YOLO $1100 at a random.

      Park was just behind Uncle Ian's, so O.P. thought they were on safe turf.

      • MS Paint on 18/03/2025 - 22:16

        Uncle Ian's scents costs cents. Cheers

  • SYLTB on 18/03/2025 - 22:01
    -3

    lessons learned

    No, You have not learned yet. You will learn lesson when you learn FakBook itself is fake.

    • meong on 18/03/2025 - 22:03
      +2

      I have bought and sold many items on Facebook and in fact it has been my only platform for 2nd hand stuffs in the past few years since the pandemic.

  • AwesomeAndrew on 18/03/2025 - 22:10
    +1

    You can also report it to Scamwatch if you haven't already, so it can become part of the statistics.

  • Bruceflix on 18/03/2025 - 22:13
    -5

    Two wrongs make a right….

    1.Lose it.
    2.Claim on contents/portable devices cover

    • MS Paint on 18/03/2025 - 22:17
      +1

      Great idea. Then the rest of us suffer in climbing premiums due to insurance fraud.

      • Bruceflix on 18/03/2025 - 22:22
        -2

        Obviously you make it back by selling counterfeit products

        Edit: love the downvotes on an obviously sarcastic comment. you lot must be fun at parties.

        • neoleo on 19/03/2025 - 02:47

          I didn't neg you. My other comment also got negged lol.

          Make it back by reselling 3 pcs of S26 next year after purchase during JB-HiFi preorder … Aim for around $400-$500 profit for each phone. I sold 2 …

          Another way for now is purchasing PureVPN during 130% cashback promo. Profit almost $50/month (so make it back in less than 2 years). Better than nothing …

  • Craze on 18/03/2025 - 22:17

    Sorry to hear your loss OP, and appreciate that you're sharing your experience here as PSA.

  • MS Paint on 18/03/2025 - 22:20

    Out of curiosity where does the QR code on the box take you to when scanned?

    Also get the pube hair DNA tested that's in the picture if you think it may belong to the scammer.

    • meong on 18/03/2025 - 22:22

      It was not a URL.

      It was just this text: GH68-56596A

  • neoleo on 18/03/2025 - 22:24
    -4

    I think it's definitely a scam because everyone got 512 GB version, not 1 TB version during preorder. From the photo above (last link), it's 1 TB …

    Btw, I sold 1 pc of S25 (not ultra or plus) through Facebook Marketplace to a man that works in a bank (I checked his profile online, he used to work at JB HiFi in the past). I met him in a big shopping center with some CCTV around for sure. I sold another S25 to a phone & accessories shop in the City.

    $1100 for 1TB version doesn't make sense … because everyone got 512 GB (free upgrade from 256 GB) during preorder. This preorder with 512 GB were for S25, S25+, and S25 Ultra too.

    • Bruceflix on 18/03/2025 - 23:15

      because everyone got 512 GB version, not 1 TB version during preorder

      A friend of mine got the 1tb model during pre-order

      • neoleo on 19/03/2025 - 02:17

        Your friend paid much higher for 1 TB then. So, $1100 for 1 TB version doesn't make sense for now. Who wants to sell at a loss?

  • localhost on 18/03/2025 - 22:33
    +2

    Sealed you said, oh boy - https://www.aliexpress.com/w/wholesale-samsung-sealed-sticke…

    • meong on 18/03/2025 - 22:34
      +2

      Damn… Adding this to the post.

      • browser on 18/03/2025 - 22:51

        They can use a heat gun and something like a scalpel to peel back the original seal and then re-apply, so they don't even need to replace the stickers.

  • Wiadro on 18/03/2025 - 22:46

    lol very well known scam
    tiktok teaches these people how to do it.

    also why would you meet at a park?
    its 1k, you meet at police station

  • OzzyOzbourne on 18/03/2025 - 22:55
    +1

    That really sucks, some awful people out there.
    But a phone that had just been "bought" for $2700, selling for $1100 is a big red flag.

    • neoleo on 19/03/2025 - 02:37

      Certain people also know the real price that sellers paid for the phone, maybe Ozbargainer too 🤷

      Previously I saw a Gumtree ads that wants to buy Samsung S25 Ultra for $1200. I guess maybe another Ozbargainer … The cost people paid for S25 Ultra during JB-HiFi preorder is >$400 + $800 cancellation fee assuming no additional code or gift card to reduce the cost. For people who got the code and/or gift card, the cost is around 1k.

  • browser on 18/03/2025 - 23:01

    Service stations are usually a good location. Easy to find, easy to park, open long hours, well lit when dark, good camera coverage, good chance to also the plate of the car they come in, many have a bathroom if you need to use it before or after the meet, and fill up while you are there (or charge up).

  • TightAl on 18/03/2025 - 23:04
    +1

    Kids making bank selling fake phones, you won't make this mistake again :)

  • skid on 18/03/2025 - 23:04
    +1

    This is a bit of a problem for Samsung. The IMEI checked out. Isn't that a reasonable way to check if the phone is authentic?

    I think hardly any of the blame goes to OP - only thing is that the phone was a few hundred too low.

    Samsung should be trying to shut these operations down, like how Nike and other shoe brands shut down counterfeiters.

    • meong on 18/03/2025 - 23:06

      If even the cops are using IMEI at the police station to confirm that this phone is not a counterfeit then surely the system has failed.

      I want to raise this as a case for TIO to investigate.

      • skid on 18/03/2025 - 23:16

        I wonder what would happen if you made a warranty claim stating that the camera zoom was faulty. Surely that would get Samsungs attention when it hurts their wallet.

        • meong on 18/03/2025 - 23:18

          Police officers from both station told me to get Samsung Store or JBHifi to produce a statement that this is fake before the police can accept that a report will need to be made.

          I asked them if they can print something for me to bring to Samsung and JB to ask them to write a statement.

          But imagine, would the underpaid retail store managers even be willing to do this or even have the procedure for this?

          It looks like I really do need to claim a warranty to get them to acknowledge that this is counterfeit.

          • skid on 18/03/2025 - 23:35

            @meong: How close of a counterfeit is it? Does it have the right SoC CPU, RAM size, storage etc?

            • meong on 18/03/2025 - 23:36

              @skid: It looks very similar to the youtube video above:
              https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxeTXGEzI_0

              Snapdragon Gen 3 shown as the CPU.

              • greatlamp on 19/03/2025 - 02:06

                @meong: It will have a fake ROM. All those specs are fake. If you have logged in with your google ID I would change password also, who knows what's running on it in the background.

                Try run a benchmark, it will explain why it is so slow. Or CPU-Z may be able to tell you the real hardware

                Very disappointing response from Police.

          • browser on 18/03/2025 - 23:45

            @meong: Probably just go to Samsung direct.

            If you go to JB, they may tell you the receipt is fake. Since the receipt is fake, the phone is not from them, there's nothing they can or will do, and that will be the end of it.

            • meong on 19/03/2025 - 00:02

              @browser: Makes sense.

              I think someone just pointed out below that the receipt looks fake.

  • lachhelix on 18/03/2025 - 23:06

    Ahhh that sucks :(
    Sorry my friend

  • try2bhelpful on 18/03/2025 - 23:18
    +2

    My sympathies. I avoid Facebook completely. Facebook thinks you are the product and they don’t care how badly you are treated. Most social media has become a cess pool.

    • neoleo on 19/03/2025 - 02:33

      It depends on how you use it. I sometimes use Facebook to get info from Facebook Group of people from my country here. Info such as food, rent, job, etc. Also Facebook Event is useful to check any interesting events. I have been to many great events that I wouldn't know if I don't check Facebook Event.

      I only use Facebook in a different browser just for Facebook with adblocker extension too. It's better than using Facebook app.

  • FireRunner on 18/03/2025 - 23:20
    +8

    I appreciate that you’re willing to share your story.
    The internet has a way of shaming victims of scams but staying silent just allows the scammers to get away with it more.
    You’re handing it like a champ. I hope you have better luck in the future

    • meong on 18/03/2025 - 23:22
      +5

      Tbh, i was too ashamed to write this.

      I tried to create another account solely for this post but got busted by the mods for ghost accounts 🥲

      But i thought, who cares, if it fooled me and the police, it would've fooled many people, so I needed to post this even if it has to come from my real account.

      • lachhelix on 19/03/2025 - 00:59
        +1

        Absolutely no need to be ashamed - people make mistakes all the time - it's the strong ones that actually admit it

        I've learnt a lot from this post alone so you've definitely helped at least one other person

  • BewareOfThe Dog on 18/03/2025 - 23:20

    I'm sorry to hear about this. Not a great experience.

    Just remember the 1st iphone that Steve jobs demonstrated on stage, was rumoured to only be a simulation device, but never confirmed.

  • AwesomeAndrew on 18/03/2025 - 23:32
    +2

    Here are a few ways of spotting fake phones easily. Of course this advice only applies to the current generation of fakes, fake phones keep improving so not all of these tips will apply to newer generations of fakes but most will.
    1. NFC: Most fakes don't have NFC. It may be possible to detect the presence of NFC even without opening the box, if you install the "NFC Tools" app on your phone and try scanning the back of the phone through the box (you may need to move it around slowly to align the NFC coils). Many phones have NFC controllers which are active even when powered off. Tested working with S25 Ultra (unfortunately not brand new) in box.
    2. Wireless charging: Most fakes don't have wireless charging. You can use the "Wireless Powershare" feature on your phone to try and charge the new one, even if it is still in the box. However, wireless charging has much less range than NFC. Check unboxing videos online, if there is nothing between the back of the phone and the side of the box then it should work. This method doesn't work with S25 Ultra but works with some iPhones.
    3. Display: All modern flagship phone displays get crazy bright when outdoors. If the display seems dim outdoors, it's a fake. Also, most modern phones have thin and uniform bezels. If the bezels are thicker than expected or not uniform around the edges, it's a fake.
    4. Camera: Most fake phones only have one camera. Note: sometimes phones will switch to other wider lenses if the object is closer than the minimum focusing distance of the zoom lenses, or if the scene is too dark, such as when you try to block the camera.
    5. Processor: Run a quick online benchmark. I prefer webbench. If the benchmark score is abnormally low, it's a fake. For reference, on webbench S25 ultra scores around 40 after running for 20 seconds, this drops to around 30 after 1 minute after thermal throttling starts.
    6. Software Integrity Attestation: Even though I'm not a fan of this anti-consumer DRM-like garbage, I have to admit it's quite effective in easily determining if a phone is fake. Install Key Attestation Demo app either from Github releases section, or Play Store. It should show only "Bootloader is locked" message without any warnings. If not, the phone is either fake or has been rooted. Then check the brand and model number after scrolling down a bit. If they don't match, the phone is fake.

  • Rukiata on 18/03/2025 - 23:36

    what about the invoice? can you send picture or go to jb about it

    • meong on 18/03/2025 - 23:37

      I plan to do that tomorrow.

  • THICKnSLOW on 18/03/2025 - 23:48
    +5

    Sorry to hear that OP.

    I think it's just nuts that people are paying laptop money prices for a flagship smartphone that's only suppose to last 4 years or so.

    We all have to stop accepting this nonsense from manufacturers. Say no to $1000+ smartphones

  • Kelpei on 18/03/2025 - 23:49
    +1

    Sorry to hear about this. Yes there are an alarming number of dishonest people out there. I buy and sell stuff from time to time on marketplace and always get suspicious when someone wants to meet at a place other than their home. It's usually because they don't want to be found when their dishonesty is exposed. Don't dwell on it too much, it's a valuable lesson learned.

    • profounddominator on 19/03/2025 - 01:52

      Better to meet in a public place with cameras when it's a high value sale

  • Dong11 on 18/03/2025 - 23:58
    +1

    I did some checks.

    • The bar code from the product box doesn't match the Aussie version of the phone.
    • The invoice looks a bit off - is that "(Rou)nd up" on the invoice? "GST included" should be rounded to two decimals (e.g. $248.81)
    • The phone model shown on the website indicates the model is sold in the European market (i.e. Poland or neighbouring countries)
    • meong on 19/03/2025 - 00:01

      How did you get the info about the country?

      • MS Paint on 19/03/2025 - 00:08

        EUE - Europe East?

        That's a guess btw.

      • Dong11 on 19/03/2025 - 00:10

        From the suffix EUE

  • browser on 19/03/2025 - 00:07
    +1

    The receipt is almost certainly fake.

    The suffix in the receipt number indicates shopId, don't know where 13 is, probably non-existent. Chadstone Home Superstore is 145, so the receipt number should end with "-145".

    • browser on 19/03/2025 - 02:34

      13 is Highpoint, VIC

  • fantombloo on 19/03/2025 - 00:17

    And now OP's fingerprints are public knowledge too.

  • belongsinforums on 19/03/2025 - 00:51

    if it seems too good to be true…

  • Raj09 on 19/03/2025 - 02:39

    This is pretty bad. Sorry op for this that's the ultimate scam

  • AustriaBargain on 19/03/2025 - 03:16

    I barely trust Amazon to send me genuine devices, I'd never trust a random on the Internet. It's so easy to set up fake profiles. And people are crazy, there's a reason why Crim Safe ads have been on TV for decades now.

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