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

          • Kelpei on 20/03/2025 - 22:13

            @meong: I've reported lots of ads, unfortunately Facebook doesn't do much and let's them continue to scam

            • jlogic on 20/03/2025 - 22:16
              +1

              @Kelpei: Facebook doesn't give a sh*t. All they care is as many eyeballs to sell more ads.

          • braddsey on 21/03/2025 - 10:58

            @meong: …and this is the evil shit-show that is facebook.

  • Evoque10 on 20/03/2025 - 11:36

    Sorry to hear that OP.

    I recently sold a phone as well in FB Marketplace and honestly, I also see so many red flag listings.

    One thing I did when I sold my S25 was actually open the box, so the buyer can see directly what the phone looks like and confirm its authenticity.
    I also provide receipt from Samsung to ensure it's not currently on plan.

    Again, sorry to hear what happened but hopefully you can get over it soon and learn from it.

  • mavis30551 on 20/03/2025 - 12:11
    +1

    Dangerous game they be playing.

    All well and good for most citizens but I can imagine one day they rock up to a park to sell the next fake item and 5 guys stop buy with a pissed off buyer about to get revenge.

    Oh and they suggested somewhere with no cameras… how convenient.

  • Wiser on 20/03/2025 - 12:15
    +3

    These scumbags should be caned as in Singapore.

  • Cave Fire on 20/03/2025 - 12:47
    +2

    be careful with vigilante or revenge stuff. Police might care if it's repeated (getting close to $3k damages) as it's a different class of crime afaik. Some of them are violent and would have just mugged you for the money. They may also turn violent if cornered.

  • dbui8743 on 20/03/2025 - 14:47

    Seriously that is the fakest jb invoice i have ever seen

  • imurgod on 20/03/2025 - 16:25

    Wow! That is insane! They really went to some effort… I can see how you would've fallen for it, despite looking for signs.

    I reckon I would've fallen for that one.

    Thankfully, I just bought the same phone but from Officeworks… oddly enough, I checked that the box was sealed and took it away!

    Hopefully you see them tryin another scam, meet up with them and do what I would.

  • echizen on 20/03/2025 - 16:47

    Better than paying all those taxes to the Government and they give it all to "friends" for scams masquerading as worthless "Contracts".

  • shaybisc on 20/03/2025 - 18:14

    Thinking about how to avoid these type of things. Would asking the seller to install a system info app like DevCheck so you can have a look be considered rude?

    • braddsey on 21/03/2025 - 10:55
      +1

      Who cares if it's rude. You're parting with your hard earned and you want to ensure you're getting what you paid for.
      In this instance the scammer won't sell to you (and perhaps neither would a genuine seller). They'll use a justification that it's new & sealed, and to open it and install some app would mean it's no longer new and sealed.

      Honestly the best approach would be to get the seller to meet you at somewhere where you can validate the device is genuine (samsung store, jb hifi etc). If they refuse, then walk away.

    • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 22/03/2025 - 12:30
      +2

      Honestly, at this point you have to decide whether going to all that trouble is worth saving a few bucks.

  • akyeeeahdude on 20/03/2025 - 19:00

    The box design is fairly convincing (there are some differences though) and you wouldn't notice it unless you had a genuine S25 Ultra box to compare it to.

    What is a noticeable red flag is the security sticker - it's sealed but it looks very, very different to a legitimate Samsung security seal/sticker. Note the wrinkle in it. The design is different too.

  • DMFD on 20/03/2025 - 20:05
    -7

    Why you complaining here thinking we're going to dox this person for you?

  • NeoX on 20/03/2025 - 20:37

    sorry for your loss. I bloody hate scammers on FB. It really kills the credibility of real sellers/buyers. Everytime I see an obvious scam (you can tell usually) I report it straight away.

    Another point of scammers is asking to look at the product first before giving you money. They can just take it and run away.

  • jlogic on 20/03/2025 - 21:53
    +3

    Done my bit… got another scammer to delete their listing.

    Asked to be able to do the transaction at a cop shop and for me to open the box to verify the contents.

    Seller goes offline and listing is removed.

    • jlogic on 22/03/2025 - 12:56

      Even scammers reuse the same lines… another one bites the dust and the same spiel. As soon as I ask to open it to make sure it is legit, the seller pulls the listing and turns off the profile.

  • Spending2Much on 21/03/2025 - 05:44
    +2

    Reading this makes me feel better about the $800 Telstra JB Hi-fi Galaxy S25 Ultra deal.

  • Bignudge on 21/03/2025 - 08:21
    +1

    I'm sorry you had to learn it the hard way. I know there are so many scams out there that as soon as a I see a newly released phone, tablet, dyson airwrap, or laptop on the marketplace I just automatically assume it's a scam or counterfeit.

    If it's like a 6 year old S20 FE for $150 then it's probably not a scam. But if it's the latest iPhone 35 Max Pro that's only been used for a week with a reciept then it's probably a scam.

    If you need to buy something 2nd handed then at least buy from eBay where you can return it (heck, people even return stuff with a brick even if the phone was real). Else, just get it from CEX.

  • susu abis on 21/03/2025 - 11:53

    Sorry Dude, but when something to is too good to be true, its going to end bad.
    Phones in that price range should be used for 2-3 years so its ok to buy from a retailer, at least you know the phone is real and you can take it back there within its warranty period to have it repaired or replaced.

  • Brainwhacker on 21/03/2025 - 12:46

    This is horrible , Hope you get some success with the recovery

  • Chivalry on 21/03/2025 - 15:59

    im sorry to hear this experience, i remember when i was "scammed" it wasn't a nice feeling for weeks (possibly still suffering from ptsd now hahaha).

  • Emenent7426 on 21/03/2025 - 21:02
    +1

    Hi Guys,
    I have also seen some thermally printed samsung official receipt phones on facebook particularly S25 ultras. This also rings a bell of something fishy. The date of purchase is 23rd march 2025 , exactly the preorder date and there is an IMEI on the receipt too ( that is obviously fake as samsung only knows imei when packaged no when preordered). So guys please be vigilant, it is not only limited to S25 ultras with JBhifi receipts.

  • beverleyrose on 21/03/2025 - 22:58

    Hi OP, sorry for your loss and thank you for sharing the story. It will help others. I will only buy new phones from reputable stores though. Just wait for a good deal with a lot of upvotes from ozbargain.

  • Purp on 22/03/2025 - 13:58
    -3

    Was the price not a dead giveaway you're being scammed?

    Also as I mentioned before which the dumb dumbs didn't like on here, police are not there to help you. They get overpaid for the very little they actually do.

    • OhNoUShiz on 22/03/2025 - 16:56

      Police union is strong. Almost 100% of the force in the union.

  • spider man on 22/03/2025 - 19:35
    +1

    Same story for S24 Ultra Lost $800 last year

  • whey4000 on 22/03/2025 - 20:47

    I didnt buy from Marketplace/Gumtree but many years ago I brought a Samsung S4 from a ebayer seller Techrific, was a fake, have been very very careful since then.

  • inamberclad on 25/03/2025 - 09:43

    Damn op, that sucks big time. Thank you for the lessons learned

  • RX7 on 29/03/2025 - 12:19

    Not sure if it's been mentioned but always check their marketplace seller ratings. Avoid sellers that have no rating at all. 4+ stars are generally a safer bet but always do your due diligence nonetheless.

  • do-ob on 31/03/2025 - 01:45
    +1

    I also got bluffed by a sealed in box S25U :(

    • Guy nominated a Maccas, so I got him to come in and get captured on CCTV.
    • Filed Police report and they are chasing up.

    The cops advice was:

    • get them to accept PayID, not cash, it's often then very easy for them to chase them up and retrieve your money, and has been done before.

    I also reported it to Samsung, they said it was the first one they'd seen this year. Their tips were:

    • Genuine Samsungs don't come shrink wrapped.
    • You can identify the fakes from the box, the barcode design/layout are different (of course once you turn on the phone you can definitely tell).
    • Don't bother relying on the IMEI, it will check out because the counterfeit manufacturer obtained a batch of genuine IMEIs to replicate.

    Join me and report fakes you see on Facebook. Only thing we can do to keep Marketplace a good place to trade.

    Stay safe!

    • meong on 31/03/2025 - 01:58
      +2

      The response I got from Samsung was quite generic which was something along the "thank you for bringing this to our attention" and then goes along to say for reporting this we are giving you a 15% voucher which is the same loyalty voucher you can always get and it cannot be used in conjunction with other offers!

      • do-ob on 01/04/2025 - 11:34

        Oh. I went in person to Samsung chadstone. They don't have an official reporting method for this, but one staff member there started one last year. They were probably the most helpful because of this. At least they offered a voucher, I didn't even get one!

        • meong on 01/04/2025 - 12:33

          The voucher is a basic protocol for Samsung online rep for ANY interaction.

          Last year I had a service request for my Samsung TV and they said the same thing at the end of each interactions.

          The fact the voucher cannot be used in conjunction with any offer means the vouchers are really sales tactics instead of goodwill.

          15% of RRP is still too expensive compared to any other retailers out there whereas the ones shared in OzBargain are usually stackable.

  • noideaa on 01/04/2025 - 21:31

    I just can’t wrap around my head why OP would buy on FB if he’s happy to fork in that much? What’s wrong with a mobile shop?

    • meong on 01/04/2025 - 22:13

      I have noideaa

  • GameBunny on 27/05/2025 - 21:09
    +3

    So almost fell for it today. Thought there are some great deals around in FB marketplace and gumtree but thought hmm, the deals seem too good to be true. Why would someone sell brand new sealed phone worth north of AUD 2000 for AUD 1100 ? So searched in google if it is a scam, and the first hit is this thread. Golden post mate, I am sorry for your loss, but you have saved many people like me to fall victim for similar tricks. so thanks a ton very much mate. Great phenomenal post.

    • meong on 27/05/2025 - 21:57

      thanks for letting me know!

      it's good to know the post has served its purpose!

      i wonder, what search term did you use that led you here?

      • GameBunny on 29/05/2025 - 13:28
        +1

        I searched this in Google —> is it a scam buying galaxy S25 Ultra for 1200

  • dreamerman on 29/05/2025 - 20:35

    I almost met a facebook scammer for a S25 Ultra. His listing looks legit, phone serial and imei checked out on Samsung website. Even the Samsung receipt from WA looks legit until I really look at it. He posted a partial receipt but enough to see small errors.

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