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

meong on 18/03/2025 - 21:23
Last edited 20/03/2025 - 13:02 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…

There is an email address for JB Hifi Forensic Team that can help quickly identify fake receipts.

They are very responsive:
[email protected]

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_…

Sample listings:
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1169453468155288/
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/2100827720364129/

UPDATE:

Based on this recommendation: https://www.ozbargain.com.au/comment/16355472/redir

I have asked a few people to contact the seller who is still actively selling this.

Also, i have seen multiple listings with very similar looking receipts.

I have asked JB and the receipt that I had and the one the other sellers are selling are both FAKE.

I called Samsung, the IMEI for EUE is for a product that is made in Vietnam but sold in Austria. It is not supported for warranties in Australia.

I also send another IMEI based on another scam listing and that I added that, it appeared as legit but Samsung confirmed that it was made in South Korea but sold in China.

If you try to add them to your Samsung account it will show this:
"Additional services are limited for products not purchased in your current location.
Please check the country of purchase." which means that it is not covered by warranty in Australia because it was sold overseas.

Mobile Mobile Phone Samsung Android

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Comments

  • Aap Ke Papa on 18/03/2025 - 21:30
    +80

    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
      +8

      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
        +11

        Met someone on Facebook at the park

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

        • paloverde88 on 22/03/2025 - 02:06

          More suspicious if they say come to the park with a picnic basket with tea and biscuits

      • redfox1200 on 19/03/2025 - 10:23
        +47

        meeting in front of a police station is not going to suddenly make the product legit.

        • gromit on 19/03/2025 - 10:36
          +69

          No but if you request meet in front of police station and please bring valid ID you can bet 99% of scammers will run or find excuses to not agree. consider it an extra filter that will weed out most of scum.

          • WatchNerd on 19/03/2025 - 12:35
            +1

            @gromit: Agreed, buying on FB marketplace & Gumtree is all about applying filters before meeting.

          • devank on 19/03/2025 - 14:43
            +3

            @gromit: Also there would be cameras

          • Rukiata on 19/03/2025 - 15:13
            +7

            @gromit: i wouldn't give my ID to a stranger.

            • gromit on 19/03/2025 - 15:16
              +10

              @Rukiata: and I wouldn't give $1100 to a stranger with a dodgy receipt that won't identify themselves. The point here would be that should you be uncertain you could request they show ID to the police. It also means they have the escalate the offense to something that is most definitely a criminal matter that the police will be interested in as Fake ID's are without question illegal and something the police will charge them for.

            • Sinnerator on 23/03/2025 - 10:40

              @Rukiata: I gave my passport to about 35 hotels/accommodation in the last 6 months, other than prove who you are very little damage can come from showing someone a passport.

              If you only have a DL cover up the dates and DL-number, just show your face and name.

          • eyeballz2770 on 19/03/2025 - 15:13
            +2

            @gromit: If they can spoof IMEI numbers a fake ID will be easy-peasy.

            • gromit on 19/03/2025 - 15:16

              @eyeballz2770: not many people will happily hand over a fake ID to police.

              • eyeballz2770 on 19/03/2025 - 15:32

                @gromit: The police were stumped and, therefore, uninterested by an obvious con even after OP explained it to them.

                One good cover story by a guy with French (or any non-suss country) ID will be all it takes (tourist robbed in Oz and needs to sell the phone fast for cash). The police wouldn't give a stuff to figure out if the ID is legal or not if it's authentic looking.

                • gromit on 19/03/2025 - 15:35
                  +4

                  @eyeballz2770: Again the main point here is to filter out the scum, Most scammers won't want to be near police to start with and the idea of bringing fake ID to the police escalating it from something the police dont care about to a clear criminal matter is something "most" will avoid and move on to another target. Is it perfect no, but if you are going to buy from dodgy places like facebook or scumtree then you have to at least try to filter.

              • ronnknee on 20/03/2025 - 13:32

                @gromit: Do you think the police will facilitate Facebook marketplace transactions?

                • gromit on 20/03/2025 - 15:58

                  @ronnknee: yes they will and do and in many places they advertise you should be using the police station or a safe exchange location.

                  • ronnknee on 20/03/2025 - 16:25
                    -3

                    @gromit: Did you read the part where they didn't want anything to deal with OP's problem?

                    • gromit on 20/03/2025 - 16:38

                      @ronnknee: did you read the part where he DIDN'T follow there advise and DIDN'T exchange at the police station or a safe exchange location to enlist their help. He is trying to involve them after the fact.

          • DoctorCalculon on 19/03/2025 - 19:12

            @gromit:

            please bring valid ID you can bet 99% of scammers will run or find excuses to not agree

            If they have gone to such lengths to create a fake S25 Ultra, the chances are they will have a 100% fake photo ID. That is, if they do agree to meet on those terms.

            • meong on 19/03/2025 - 19:13

              @DoctorCalculon: They didn't even need to "create" the phone as apparently like mentioned above, they are already sold and supplied as is to these sellers.

            • gromit on 19/03/2025 - 19:22

              @DoctorCalculon: yeah I am sure it takes leet skills and huge effort to go to a website to order a fake s25 Ultra

            • kraigg on 20/03/2025 - 07:30
              +1

              @DoctorCalculon: They might have a fake phone and fake ID, but would they be comfortable with having their real face plastered in front of police station cameras? The aim is to weed out as many scammers as possible, before you hand over your money.

              • modbutcher on 20/03/2025 - 08:37

                @kraigg: Maybe they will, because the seller isn’t at the top of the chain. Sellers are usually just in it for the quick cash and will be replaced. The real scammers are the ones who produce the phones and get the spoofed IMEIs in. They just recruit new, desperate teens or small time scammers.

          • modbutcher on 20/03/2025 - 08:32

            @gromit: https://www.9news.com.au/national/fake-id-documents-on-the-d…

            As the article shows, Australia is second only to the US in selling fake IDs, so it's clear that someone is using them. Since this phone scam requires enough effort to make it work, I’m sure these scammers can produce some fake ID as well.

          • Italkdigital on 20/03/2025 - 10:49
            +1

            @gromit: Some people trying to load off faulty hardware even request to meet at police station parking lot, well I have had a few trying to make this as a safe option cause they don't want anyone to come to their place/home

            Any sellers request too look at there drivers license at meetup if ok showing their address, if a scammer they wont agree too this

            Door pickup is the safest, certainly over a meetup, even a meetup at a police station carpark, even seller offering to drop off at ones place/home is technically a meetup

            You need to get sellers address to be safe, exactly like buying from a shop you have a return address to return a faulty item or in your case fake item

            My 2 cents 👍😊🤔

            Edit: If most people kept to this rule scammers would be out of business well most

            • Italkdigital on 20/03/2025 - 22:17

              @Italkdigital: If sellers not willing to share contact details like a mobile phone number to me rings bells possible scammer

              Well also as a seller not getting a buyers mobile number, especialy when selling an expensive item is worrying, lots of after thefts reported of ones expensive garage items, like jet skis as example, certainly been shown on current affairs few times

      • PerthMan96 on 21/03/2025 - 03:35

        would infront of anywhere with a camera you have access to be ok

      • ripprind on 21/03/2025 - 21:17

        Thanks for telling all this. I was not aware of this level of sofistication. Good to know.

  • Hybroid on 18/03/2025 - 21:32
    +50

    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?

      • coffeeinmyveins on 18/03/2025 - 21:37
        +22

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

        no-body is giving you a bargain like that.

        • AwesomeAndrew on 18/03/2025 - 21:51
          +2

          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.

          • neoleo on 19/03/2025 - 09:41
            +5

            @AwesomeAndrew: Around $1000 is only for 512 GB version with $200 code. So, $1100 for 1 TB version doesn't make sense. Who wants to sell at a loss?

        • McMaferMur on 19/03/2025 - 01:50
          +1

          Except the lord of ozbargain.com.au

        • Chrysuss on 19/03/2025 - 10:48

          Yeah I paid around $900 for my ultra in the presales, you could get them for great prices stacking edu pricing, using the app and the codes. Also traded in my S21.

        • 7ty6er on 19/03/2025 - 16:13
          +1

          There are exceptions. I used to routinely sell my 50% off Telco EPP Samsungs and Huawei's for $200 profits before I figured the risk/reward wasn't worth it.

          And before anyone asks me, I really did try selling for higher than a $200 profit but the low balling was eventually wearing me out and I just wanted to get rid of them.

    • 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
        +34

        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
          +29

          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.

          • mikekiwimike on 19/03/2025 - 13:22

            @browser: I could be wrong (just ask my wife), all the other values on the receipt have a '.' between the numbers except the big ones which have a ','

            • browser on 19/03/2025 - 15:18
              +2

              @mikekiwimike: I have commented further down, the receipt is fake, it has incorrect shop ID in the receipt number.

              The heading says Chadstone Home Superstore, the receipt number (under the barcode) should end with -145.

              It ends with -13 which is Highpoint, contradicting the store name on top.

              But we are now sitting at the desk in front of a computer picking all these tell tale signs, no normal person would notice these at the meet, unless they know before hand and specifically looking for them.

        • 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.

    • skidexa on 20/03/2025 - 06:12

      Do you feel good now?

  • 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
    +23

    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
      +6

      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

      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 :)

    • ihbh on 19/03/2025 - 08:54
      +5

      Jb have deals on mobile plans with a jb gift card

      Please don't tempt the OP … again. :)

      Next thing we get a post: I Just Got Scammed $1100 by Buying a JB GC from OZB Classifieds

      • meong on 19/03/2025 - 13:11

        Hey I actually sold a gift card here 😅

  • coffeeinmyveins on 18/03/2025 - 21:38
    +5

    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
      +34

      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
        +17

        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
          +8

          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
    +12

    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
      +2

      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
        +1

        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
          +1

          It is not even a legitimate phone to begin with.

          • McMaferMur on 19/03/2025 - 01:53
            +13

            @meong: He was trying to tell us another possible way of scam not saying your case

    • 87percent on 19/03/2025 - 09:16

      this scam has been around for AGES

  • askbargain on 18/03/2025 - 21:44
    +5

    Sorry to hear. Thanks for posting.

  • modbutcher on 18/03/2025 - 21:49
    +17

    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
      +4

      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
        +2

        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
    +13

    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
      +4

      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
        +1

        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#

        • Sammyboy on 19/03/2025 - 13:50

          Im guessing those 2 imei are from some other random samsung phone (prob an old s23, s24 etc). I would guess then the samsung system recognises the imei numbers, and maybe it doesnt match up the imei to the make/model of the samsung phone. Samsung would just assume the phone has been traded in and resold multiple times as new people register it…

          • meong on 19/03/2025 - 17:35

            @Sammyboy: Btw, the IMEI appears as S25 Ultra but sold in Austria

    • DashCam AKA Rolts on 18/03/2025 - 22:11
      -2

      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
        -2

        Uncle Ian's scents costs cents. Cheers

    • meong on 18/03/2025 - 22:03
      +9

      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
    +10

    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
    -8

    Two wrongs make a right….

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

    • MS Paint on 18/03/2025 - 22:17
      +6

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

      • Bruceflix on 18/03/2025 - 22:22
        +3

        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
          -1

          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 …

          • gromit on 19/03/2025 - 14:58

            @neoleo: you don't need to wait till next year. plenty will believe you if you just say you have early access to the future S26.

            • neoleo on 19/03/2025 - 18:12

              @gromit: I sold 2 pcs of S25. So, if the preorder deal is still the same next year, it's possible to sell for profit ;-)

              • OhNoUShiz on 20/03/2025 - 02:59

                @neoleo: Pre order always cheaper?

                • neoleo on 20/03/2025 - 07:27

                  @OhNoUShiz: Yes, I think so for Samsung flagship phone and based on previous preorders.

  • Craze on 18/03/2025 - 22:17
    +8

    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

    • ihbh on 19/03/2025 - 09:05

      may belong to the scammer

      or his missus.

  • neoleo on 18/03/2025 - 22:24
    -5

    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
    +9

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

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