Apple iPhone SCAMS alert: eBay “unlocked” iPhone scam, iPhone online stores scam

Click to zoom. Posted by dennis on July 30th, 2007 at 01:14am Comments

Due to the fact that Apple’s iPhone became a hot selling item, a variety of scams based around it popped up online. Here are two of the most popular ones at the time of writing.

eBay “unlocked iPhone” scam

This scam was encountered by our staff while surfing through items on eBay. A few items in particular caught our eye, being advertised as “unlocked iPhones”.

One of them, being advertised as “unlocked 8GB iPhone” at the time of writing this is already at $1,325 USD, with 52 bids. The seller writes: “You can activate is with AT & T or have it unlocked without AT & T services, and use it as an iPod/PDA/Internet device via WiFi without phone service for now (if you are outside the US, you willl have it on hand until service reach you and have it for the above device. … The Apple iPhone is BRAND NEW, opened for photos only.”

But most likely what some eBay shoppers don’t understand is that this iPhone is not really unlocked, if they can’t use it with other mobile service providers. Neither do they know that this “opened for photos only” device was without a doubt modded with an activation hack, available for free online (for example see PQDVD iPhone activation hack), since that’s the only way to get what this seller calls “unlocked” iPhone. Whoever buys this crippled-unlocked device for such amounts of money will certainly regret it later, once he finds out he could’ve done it himself.

iPhone “online store” scam

The Modesto Bee reports that online security firms have seen an increase in malicious software that specifically targets online surfers looking for the iPhone. Infected computers receive pop-up ads inviting them to order an iPhone in an online store while they’re visiting reputable sites such as Google or Yahoo.

Once at the “online store” site, the victims are asked to transfer the payment for their “newly purchased” iPhone through Western Union or MoneyGram. The iPhone never arrivles while the culprits subsequently receive and safely take off with the money, since Western Union and MoneyGram don’t offer any sort of insurance or money-back guarantee.

To avoid similar incidents it’s suggested to make sure your anti-virus and firewall are updated and running at all times. And of course, it’s always best to avoid clicking weird pop-up ads alltogether, and never send money through Western Union/MoneyGram to people you don’t know.

iPhone Scams Overview

While the “iPhone online store” scam is more malicious than the “unlocked iPhone” scam, both of them will hit your budget hard and are based on customer deception, so keep your eyes wide open when shopping for iPhones online. And do let us know if you’ve seen any other iPhone scams.

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Filed Under: News+ iPhone Hacks+ iPhone News+ iPhone Scams

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brenda

hi, i found a listing for a brand new 8gb unlocked apple iphone for $300 on vflyer the seller is from encino, ca and i asked him every question i possibly can to see if he was legit and everything seemed legit but i still don't know ifi shouild do business with him because ive never bought anything from him and in the email he said he accepts western union payments only at the moment although on his vflyer listing for this item he said that he accepts paypal, credit cards, & etc so that was surprising and i told he i didn't sending money through western union because i was almosted scammed one that way but he said he would agree to let mee pay 60%-$180 upfront and then let me send the other 40%-$120 once i receive the item and i thought that was okay, but the thing i really want this supposedly iphone i think im going to take my chances and go for it but then there's something telling me not to, what do you guys think, any advice, anyone.

dennis

Brenda,

1) Avoid anything that sounds too good to be true. This is one of those cases. What kind of normal seller will allow you to pay upfront 60% of 50% of what the original item costs... There's only free cheese in a mousetrap.
2) NEVER send money through Western Union to people you don't know. Western Union does not guarantee your money's safety. Only use Paypal, because it does offer some money-back guarantee on some items (ask Paypal for more details).

Zubair

I buyed an iphone from www.cheapunlockediphone.com after buying they stopped replying my emails and made their website under progress and i lost my 540$ becasue of them.

GioNYC

Beware Apple Updates may Lock down the Phone back to AT&T.

Ann watts

I ordered a unlocked iphone from www.plazasema.com I paid 300 usd and 40 pound for the wire transfer £190 in all i never received it and they have stopped answering my emails

Anton

Thank goodness that I came across this forum regarding transacting over the internet to get an iphone and paying thru Western Union. As I was about to do the transaction tomorrow morning. I know that It's to good to be true, but if you see the way they answer you email inquiring about the iphones that they are very will to even send the unit prior paying. But the would require you to send the MTCN number of the Western Union prior sending. However, does the western union has this special feature that the sender can create a SECURITY QUESTION and ANSWER that the reciever should also know to able to successfully get the money???
Anyways, this forum has led me to the light and made me convince that if I continue with the transaction,I might just as well flush down to my tiolet my $320 dollars for a 16gb Iphone as they scammed.

james

Hey Anton,

While you CAN include a secret question / answer, the problem is that it takes a while to get your money transfer back (even if it did not go through).

And yeah, $320 and 16GB is a DEFINITELY scam.

Tell the sellers that you are willing to pay only via Paypal, or only COD (cash on delivery). If they disagree, it's 100% a scam.

j2

hi anton, i am j2 here. may i know which guy u talking to? i come across a guy frofm canada saying they have shop in UK, they buy from US and ship from UK. selling iPhone 3G S, i smell fishy...
how abt the sending MTCN number prior sending the phone, which name he ask u to fill. their name or ur friend's name?

Noah

THE BEST WAY TO BUY AN UNLOCKED IPHONE IS THROUGH CRAIGSLIST IN YOUR AREA, WHERE YOU CAN MEET IN PERSON! ANYONE SENDING MONEY FOR AN IPHONE IN HOPES OF RECEIVING ONE IN THE MAIL IS NOT A BRIGHT PERSON! SO CHECK YOUR LOCAL LISTINGS EXCHANGE EMAILS AND MEET IN PERSON TO LOOK AT THE PRODUCT OTHERWISE YOUR GOING TO GET RIPPED OFF...SIMPLE AS THAT!

Photoads

As hard as it is scammers are here to stay, education is the only way for people to learn. Sometimes people need to learn the hard way, they think something is such a good offer they have to buy it. The old adage "if it's too good to be true - it probably is" seems more prominant these days.Great post

kalin_vassilev

Here is another iPhone 3GS scam:
http://obiava.biz/obiavi/3969/39

monkeyface341

I found an add on guntree for a brand new unlocked iphone 3gs for $300usd. I paid the money via western union and was assured I would receive my tracking number. Alas it has not arrived and now the people behind this are telling me that my iphone has be seized by the customs and i must pay an extra $350usd to get the phone once and for all. They refuse to give me a refund and demand i send more money. STAY AWAY FROM KHANMOBILESTORE. Or anything of that sort. I'm now out over 250 euro or 215GBP. These people are thieves and crooks!

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