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

      • bazz on 28/10/2023 - 07:25
        +3

        Phone is a replica/fake. The even replicate serial numbers of legit phones to fool prospective buyers. Sorry OP report it to your local cop shop.

        Over the last 4 years I have bought/sold dozens and dozens of genuine phones on marketplace. It has become very difficult to navigate what is genuine over the last 12-24 months.

        The first time I noticed it was fake airpods, I looked into it further and even 4 years ago 9/10 airpods were fake on marketplace. They copy a genuine serial number most likely with Apple Care + which fools people even mor. A dead give away is that the magsafe charging doesn't work on them.

        4 Years ago I would see the odd fake iPhone ad up here and there, they must have been successful in scamming people as the fake phones/scammer ads have increased rapidly since then. Fast forward until now and 9/10 iphone ads on marketplace are either fake or a scam.

        What is interesting though is you'd never see a fake/replica Samsung. This has changed in the last 12 months, when I search marketplace now 9/10 of the S23 Ultras are all replicas or fakes.

        Unless you are very experienced on marketplace never buy any electronics on there it has more fakes/scammers then not when searching for flagship phones either samsung or apple.

        Sorry to hear your experience OP hope the seller stubs there toe and breaks their neck.

  • pharkurnell on 26/10/2023 - 15:45
    +4

    . What can I do with this phone?

    Get it put into a frame, and put it on the wall at home…. just as a reminder.

    • graceyym on 27/10/2023 - 15:41
      +5

      Anyone know any good frame deals? Checking out Facebook Marketplace but worried about getting scammed again.. or even worse, framed.

  • FloatingPoint on 26/10/2023 - 15:56
    +2

    Just use the camera app to take a 8K video outside under bright daylight. Reply the video and zoom into the details.
    You should be able to see good details if it's a real s23.
    If it looks crap it's a fake.

  • AustriaBargain on 26/10/2023 - 16:16
    -2

    You should have inspected it before handing over the cash.

  • Ozbar Gain on 26/10/2023 - 16:48
    -2

    I think it's legit. Can you do a OTA software update and what does it say

    • graceyym on 27/10/2023 - 15:42

      How would I do that, I dont need to sign into anything do i?

      • HopSkipJumpFallSplat on 27/10/2023 - 15:45

        No login needed, in settings, on my s20ultra it is listed as Software Update.

    • bazz on 28/10/2023 - 07:26
      +1

      Phone is a replica/fake. The even replicate serial numbers of legit phones to fool prospective buyers. Sorry OP report it to your local cop shop.

      Over the last 4 years I have bought/sold dozens and dozens of genuine phones on marketplace. It has become very difficult to navigate what is genuine over the last 12-24 months.

      The first time I noticed it was fake airpods, I looked into it further and even 4 years ago 9/10 airpods were fake on marketplace. They copy a genuine serial number most likely with Apple Care + which fools people even mor. A dead give away is that the magsafe charging doesn't work on them.

      4 Years ago I would see the odd fake iPhone ad up here and there, they must have been successful in scamming people as the fake phones/scammer ads have increased rapidly since then. Fast forward until now and 9/10 iphone ads on marketplace are either fake or a scam.

      What is interesting though is you'd never see a fake/replica Samsung. This has changed in the last 12 months, when I search marketplace now 9/10 of the S23 Ultras are all replicas or fakes.

      Unless you are very experienced on marketplace never buy any electronics on there it has more fakes/scammers then not when searching for flagship phones either samsung or apple.

      Sorry to hear your experience OP hope the seller stubs their toe and breaks their neck.

    • dingle on 28/10/2023 - 23:27

      S23 Ultra has chrome around the cameras. The fake doesn't, unless it's an S22U.

  • freekay on 26/10/2023 - 16:52
    +4

    Guys, I'm starting to have doubts about the iProne 15 I bought off Marketplace. How can I tell if it's a genuine Arple product?

    • bdl on 26/10/2023 - 17:00
      +5

      See if it autocorrects "Apple" as "Arple"

      • freekay on 26/10/2023 - 17:00

        I don't have autocorrect. Should I be worried?

        • bdl on 26/10/2023 - 17:30
          +1

          No probrem

    • Drakesy on 26/10/2023 - 17:08

      see here

      • bdl on 26/10/2023 - 17:31
        +2

        Good tips with Graaggebarand

    • CyberMurning on 26/10/2023 - 18:53

      how much did you buy and how much at apple?

  • bobbified on 26/10/2023 - 17:52
    +6

    After you did all the research and everything here for prices, I can't believe you went to Facebook to try save a few hundred bucks. There are some really shit people out there (I'm talking about the scammer).

    Go and message all his friends and tell them what a shit person he is. If the facebook profile is hidden, go for others like LinkedIn - send some notes to his employer (if he's actually employed!).

    • [Deactivated] on 26/10/2023 - 18:30
      -1

      Too right ! Scammers, spammers, et al. are on par with trolls

    • randomusername2017 on 26/10/2023 - 21:54
      +2

      Interesting research… good read?

  • Hardlyworkin on 26/10/2023 - 18:00
    +10

    $1500 for a phone that wasn't new? Holy sh!t batman!

    You know you're old when people pay more for a second hand phone than you paid for your first car

    • [Deactivated] on 26/10/2023 - 18:33
      +3

      $1500 for a phone that wasn't new?

      Pretty unbelievable, right ?!?!

      • CyberMurning on 26/10/2023 - 18:56

        well on the balance side, it is recently released phone so buying second hand is a good idea (not like for example you buy second hand of iphone 8), plus the saving is around $1,149 this is a significant saving and we can do a lot with $1k - well if it is legit ofcourse

        • [Deactivated] on 26/10/2023 - 19:02
          +3

          Why would a seller offer such a significant discount on a recently released mobile ?

  • AndyC1 on 26/10/2023 - 19:13
    +8

    What a troll post.

    • [Deactivated] on 26/10/2023 - 19:38

      It's a tad sad when one resorts to using reddit for post inspo

  • Kiro on 26/10/2023 - 19:47
    +1

    These days good fake handsets are bloody hard to tell apart.

    Watched a YouTube video of S series legitimate handsets and their fake counterparts.

  • Dollar General on 26/10/2023 - 20:46
    +2

    Even the poor don’t want a fake Samsung

    Trade it for a paper clip and then start trading up from there

  • solidussnake on 26/10/2023 - 20:47
    +2

    Seems it's also happening in Brisbane another unlucky one scammed

    https://ibb.co/gDFD2d8

  • vince088 on 26/10/2023 - 21:27
    +2

    How do you know its really fake? my S23 ultra camera app on photo mode has x.6 x1 x3 x10 zoom then under it once your on x10 you can go to x100

    Download CPU-Z from the play store and report your findings.

    SOC Model SM8550
    GPU Vendor Qualcomm
    Device Model SM-S918B

  • kiitos on 27/10/2023 - 08:21
    +1

    Sorry this happened to you OP. :-( Scams seem to increase when time are you, as people accept more risk to save money.

  • Dejaar on 27/10/2023 - 09:15

    What about imei number and upgradi g camera or seeing if u can download a samsung camera.

    • blitz on 27/10/2023 - 12:12
      +5

      seeing if u can download a samsung camera.

      Well, you wouldn't download a car.

  • nomadspartan on 27/10/2023 - 12:28
    +2

    Who knows what kind of malware and snooping software is preloaded in the phone. Don't even connect it to your wifi network.

    • graceyym on 27/10/2023 - 13:27

      Agreed, too scared too. I think I might just smash the phone up for something to do considering it cost $1500..

      • [Deactivated] on 27/10/2023 - 15:07
        +1

        It would be mighty kind of you to update your post to link to photos of the scammy fake Samsung mobile & box so that other members know what to look out for next time they're browsing FB for a legit bargain mobile.

        You can do before & after smashing photos

      • Love a bargain on 28/10/2023 - 09:41
        +1

        Keep it as evidence in case the authorities (e.g. police/ customs/ even ATO cos I bet they're not paying tax on the profits) do decide to take action - maybe when they've received enough complaints about this person.

        & when it's clear that won't ever happen, make a YT video on dismantling it to see what it really is made up of on the inside.

  • graceyym on 27/10/2023 - 15:36
    +1

    I've checked the IMEI and serial number on a couple of sites, only being the Samsung site and the IMEI shows warranty until Jul 2024 and another site for serial number check shows that the phone manufactured July 2023..

    When I look up the IMEI on unlockboot.com site though, the serial number that automatically comes up for that IMEI doesn't match what my phone says.

    Looks like the IMEI and Seriel number is real, but maybe not for this actual phone? A bit confusing.

  • [Deactivated] on 27/10/2023 - 15:52

    Sounds like reconstructed with various parts from refurbished units? or just swapped broken camera module with something cheaper. (you can see bunch of them from aliexpress)

  • HopSkipJumpFallSplat on 27/10/2023 - 15:54
    +3

    I'd suggest creating a new google throw away accnt on it and grabbing cpu-z from the app store, a screenshot from that app would reveal what's going on

    • Love a bargain on 28/10/2023 - 09:27
      +1

      & do it using public wifi (e.g. at a library, in a shopping centre, etc)

  • coolroy on 27/10/2023 - 16:02
    +1

    Just a heads up for anyone purchasing based on IMEI numbers, unfortunately they can be changed with appropriate software tools on both mobiles & gps trackers fitted with mobile phone data compatibilities.

  • squaredonut on 27/10/2023 - 16:35

    yeah I can't trust FB marketplace, you should look at all the high school kids selling fake airpods. In fact I think one of them was killed or bashed by when they sold it to some dude.

  • BinnyC on 27/10/2023 - 16:36
    +1

    He won't stop at selling only one phone to you, he is successful with you OP and this will encourage him to scam others.

    Report it to cops and possibly share his details on Facebook marketplace as a scammer.

  • eddyah on 27/10/2023 - 16:47
    +3

    Deon got released on bail

  • spedohero on 27/10/2023 - 17:29

    I didn't even know there is a fake samsung phone

  • Trying2SaveABuck on 27/10/2023 - 17:34
    +3

    i feel for you OP these kinds of 'scams' are getting too common - hit a point where the 'risk' of buying something dodgy out weight the extra cost of buying it new or from an authorised refurbished

    as someone who has been scammed once badly out of my hard earned all i can say is don't feel bad OP as you said it is an expensive lesson - i do feel for you becuz 1500 is a decent amount of cash

    you can report it to the police they probably will say 'it is a civil matter' and do jack all but it is worth a shot

    id throw away the current phone you dont know what scammy crap could further stuff ya and wait for Ozbargain to give you a decent deal for a new phone

    • graceyym on 28/10/2023 - 03:37
      +1

      Appreciate this comment, thanks! Well keep an eye out for deals

  • 1195qq on 27/10/2023 - 19:29
    +1

    Thought I’d give my 2c.

    Be careful buying any electronics second hand on marketplace / gumtree. From someone that doomscrolls tiktok a lot, reselling fakes seems to be the new ‘hustle’ from the new generation.

    A guy will be flexing wads of cash, piles of sealed AirPods/phones/Samsungs and ask you to dm him to get started. He gets other people to buy his course and reps and the disease spreads.

    If you don’t believe me search AirPods on marketplace and look at the sellers and descriptions - they’re all being sold by new Facebook accounts/ teenagers with majority saying ‘best offer’ etc as they can’t unload it.

    I can’t believe people are actively selling courses scamming people and willing to do it face to face. Be safe

  • justgooddeals on 27/10/2023 - 20:22
    +1

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

    Video shows you how to check if it’s fake Samsung phone or not

    Just dial star#0star# then tap version. Will tell you model number . This software code is only installed on Samsung phones.

  • ThePeterGriffin on 27/10/2023 - 21:05
    +1

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gXOx27b_faA This video would be helpful too lol.

    • SteveD on 27/10/2023 - 21:23

      Very helpful video. I think the camera is a giveaway. Looks like OP's phone is fake as per video. The pic supplied by OP matches fake Samsung Galaxy S23 (blue camera), bottom chin matches the fake phone too, plus I don't get how they could clone fake real IMEI number too(scary)

  • SoapyWooder on 27/10/2023 - 21:43

    Open the back and compare the inside with Jerryrigeverything

  • Kamsi on 27/10/2023 - 21:53

    Op, nothing much you can do it but to suck it up and learn from the mistake. reporting to the police won't do much, just filling the paper work that is all.

  • Muzeeb on 27/10/2023 - 21:56
    +1

    I reckon my tech ignorant elderly grandmother would be more capable at confirming this phones true identity. FFS.

    • [Deactivated] on 28/10/2023 - 10:54

      Tech ignorant seanmhairs appraise the seller

  • ribze1 on 27/10/2023 - 21:59

    Champagne taste, beer budget.

  • SteveD on 27/10/2023 - 22:13

    OP's DP checksout and also previous post sums it all up
    "Really keen on this phone due to the high quality camera, seems to be the best on the market at the moment."

    -Hurry/Haste will lead to distraction from your attention that you would normally recognise.

    • Fysh on 27/10/2023 - 22:56
      +1

      Exactly, I got this for 500 trade in bonus , 50 spam sign up and 100 loyalty for 1100. For just a few more he could have bought direct

    • jaffar on 28/10/2023 - 00:31
      +1

      Black Friday round the corner too…

  • Fysh on 27/10/2023 - 22:55
    +1

    Go to Australia border force. Report the guy. Hopefully they flag his address and stop his imports.

    • bazz on 28/10/2023 - 07:30

      The problem is even brick and mortar stores sell replica products, specifically Airpods.

      Fake airpods pro gen 2 sell for $150 and the little phone shops advertise them as replicas.

      People buy them and try to flog them for $250+

  • Willy Beamish on 28/10/2023 - 01:59

    If you're paying that much for a USED phone then you clearly have more dollars than sense.

    Why not just buy a brand new pixel or any other brand new phone from an actual store for that money. You really just scammed yourself.

    • graceyym on 28/10/2023 - 03:38
      +1

      Because I don't want a pixel, lol.

      • justgooddeals on 28/10/2023 - 11:23
        +6

        OP so sorry for the loss. It really stings when you have been scammed. Just know your not the first and won’t be the last .

        And the whole Ozbargain community should be thanking you for having the bravery to post and warn others.

        I personally had no idea their were such good fakes and large companies in China willing to make such realistic looking copies. Fraudulently produced phones designed with no other purpose than to fleece unsuspecting buyers of their hard earned.

        And just as an FYI you should consider pixel phones as they have very good cameras

        In actual fact the Pixel 8 pro probably has better camera in many regards and scores higher in dxomark.com ranking that the s23 ultra and is cheaper.

        https://www.dxomark.com/smartphones/#sort-camera

        • Fobsessive on 28/10/2023 - 16:44

          Agreed, thanks OP for posting. I didn't know either. Previously I searched for the base S23 on Marketplace but all the ads looked suspicious, BS descriptions like "don't need it anymore".

          Also, S23 series video and OIS > Pixel 8

      • garetz on 28/10/2023 - 23:52

        How much were you actually saving ? Is it really worth the risk of losing all your money to save $300-500 bux on something that is getting faked all over the place.

        Its a pretty big gamble you are going to get scammed unless you buy directly from apple.

      • Willy Beamish on 29/10/2023 - 11:55
        +1

        You clearly don't want your $1500 either.

        Pixel camera will do anything you need it to do for a phone camera.

        Anything outside of that use you will want an actual camera for.

    • liongalahad on 28/10/2023 - 21:46
      +2

      I don't understand the downvotes, you are 100% right. spending 1500 on a used samsung …. lool

      • Willy Beamish on 29/10/2023 - 12:00
        +2

        Dumb people are everywhere, they also probably got scammed by the same thing which is why they are malding from the dumb decision they made.

  • quanticism on 28/10/2023 - 03:10
    +1

    Do some benchmark tests and see how it compares? I'm surprised that bootleg copies of phones are still at thing. Reminds me of the Chinese fake iPods from way back in the day. Good to know that this is another reason to avoid FB marketplace for the latest phones though. I was considering it too but decided against it cause of the horror stories of phones being reported as stolen after purchasing it.

  • dfg555 on 28/10/2023 - 06:38
    +1

    something similar happened to me years back but i paid with paypal instead, fake phone (iphone 10) so i filed a chargeback and provided a lot of evidence including video recording of dashcam, won the case, guy messaged me via email as i provided a burner email to him; Threatening to come over to my place if I dont cancel the chargeback. I ignored him and paypal gave my money back, he actually went to the place but jokes on him the address I have on my paypal is a shopping town. He sent another email containing a lot of colourful language.

    I've never paid anything used in cash. It's always either PayPal or another service with a chargeback function - VISA/MASTERCARD.

    • Love a bargain on 28/10/2023 - 09:32
      +2

      &, yet, a genuine seller with an oz of sense should never accept anything but cash

    • liongalahad on 28/10/2023 - 21:44

      lol thats gold
      how do you know he actually went to the address you gave?

      • dfg555 on 28/10/2023 - 22:15

        Sent me another email with some very "nice" words. I just ignored it.

        • liongalahad on 29/10/2023 - 01:11

          ooh sweet …but also naaw, you should have rubbed some nice thick salt in the cnt's wound

  • bazz on 28/10/2023 - 07:23
    +2

    Phone is a replica/fake. The even replicate serial numbers of legit phones to fool prospective buyers. Sorry OP report it to your local cop shop.

    Over the last 4 years I have bought/sold dozens and dozens of genuine phones on marketplace. It has become very difficult to navigate what is genuine over the last 12-24 months.

    The first time I noticed it was fake airpods, I looked into it further and even 4 years ago 9/10 airpods were fake on marketplace. They copy a genuine serial number most likely with Apple Care + which fools people even mor. A dead give away is that the magsafe charging doesn't work on them.

    4 Years ago I would see the odd fake iPhone ad up here and there, they must have been successful in scamming people as the fake phones/scammer ads have increased rapidly since then. Fast forward until now and 9/10 iphone ads on marketplace are either fake or a scam.

    What is interesting though is you'd never see a fake/replica Samsung. This has changed in the last 12 months, when I search marketplace now 9/10 of the S23 Ultras are all replicas or fakes.

    Unless you are very experienced on marketplace never buy any electronics on there it has more fakes/scammers then not when searching for flagship phones either samsung or apple.

    Sorry to hear your experience OP hope the seller stubs their toe and breaks their neck.

    • liongalahad on 28/10/2023 - 21:42

      personally I only buy when I see a legit JB hi fi or Officeworks receipt, S/N checks out, and I run all the typical checks on the software to spot if a phone is fake

      I bought a few phones on MP and never got scammed so far…but I guess there can always be the one that checks all out and it's still fake, however probably it will be so well done you will never really know lol

      • bazz on 28/10/2023 - 23:14
        +1

        It is often easier to spot a fake by checking out their Facebook account.

    • garetz on 28/10/2023 - 23:55

      The reason this has happened is the police do nothing, it is rampant and with no consequences every unscrupulous person out there is attempting this scam.

      There are so many stupid people out there, that this is never ending.

  • HopSkipJumpFallSplat on 28/10/2023 - 08:02
    +2

    It sucks reading all this, I have an unopened S23+ from Office Works I'll be putting on Gumtree and Marketplace later today as I don't want to put it on Ebay and pay their overpriced fee's, but I'll probably end up having to list it on Ebay cos of these scammy bastards.

    Quick look on Marketplace and I can see tonnes of Ultras listed as new but at prices to good to be true.
    And this has gotta be fake.

    • Loopholio on 28/10/2023 - 23:17
      +1

      Why can't you simply return the unopened phone?

      • HopSkipJumpFallSplat on 29/10/2023 - 10:02
        -4

        Well I can, but I have "reasons"

      • HopSkipJumpFallSplat on 29/10/2023 - 19:17
        -3

        To the ones who negged me, kiss my ass.
        It was heavily price matched, and the bulk was payed for with flybuy dollars, the rest, as Ozb' knows, was payed with gift cards.
        Thus, I can refund, and what will I get, a decent bloody sized Office Works gift card, I don't bloody shop at office works.

  • DontNeedThis on 28/10/2023 - 08:26
    +2

    Report to the police. It's takes several months to a year, but you'll get him back.

  • UnemployedDeveloper on 28/10/2023 - 08:33
    +7

    Best you can do now is to resell it to some aussie tech youtuber who will happily make a video about fake phones looking genuine

    • Loopholio on 28/10/2023 - 23:18

      Now that is a great idea!

  • THICKnSLOW on 28/10/2023 - 09:23
    +6

    My 2 cents, no-one should be buying smartphones for $1500, let alone from facebook marketplace. Stop supporting tech giants grubby money grab.

    This is why the world is ruined.

  • Wilson Wallace on 28/10/2023 - 09:51
    +1

    I recently tried to purchase an S22 Ultra on FB market place for a family member overseas. This is how my experience was ..

    1. All of them were fake bar 1, one guy tried to sell me a faulty Samsung camera. There was dust inside the camera that wouldn’t go away.
    2. I had one guy actually admit to me straight away that the phone was fake. I don’t know why, perhaps he saw my last name and knew I was from his region.
    3. Never buy anything from FB market place.
  • Oofy Doofy on 28/10/2023 - 10:40
    +4

    Hopefully you learned your lesson here. Definitely report it though, if you have enough info and feel like you can be bothered.

    Don't be like a friend of mine and try to meet the scammer again (easy to do) and then beat him up.

    90 days in lock-up atm, and still has 2 months to go.

    • Muzeeb on 28/10/2023 - 12:19
      -1

      Need a too short, more info please post on this one.

  • navegante88 on 28/10/2023 - 11:13
    +1

    My sympathies OP, scammers are scum of the earth. Hope justice eventually catches up to them.

  • Sunlight212 on 28/10/2023 - 13:36
    +1

    Man I’m sorry for your loss. Why not just stack up vouchers and buy it from Samsung at a much cheaper price? I’ve seen plenty of deals on OzBargain.

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