How Do I Avoid Mobile Phone Scams When Buying on Gumtree/Facebook Marketplace

Ljonoz on 18/06/2025 - 11:58
Last edited 18/06/2025 - 20:40 by 1 other user

I'm in the process of looking at what mobile phones are available privately (Gumtree, Facebook Marketplace) and there is a massive influx of scam or fake phones for sale.

They use AI generated receipts that look really good but there are some that are bad, same IMEI as another listing in another location, purchase dates prior to phones were released etc.

I was wondering if anyone has found any methods to ensure that what you're buying is genuine?

Edit: actually helpful things will go here.

Samsung's do not come wrapped, clear film is a clear sign of a fake.

JB HiFi provide an email to validate receipts.
[email protected]

Mobile Facebook Marketplace Gumtree Mobile Phone

Comments

  • Jimothy Wongingtons on 18/06/2025 - 12:13
    +8

    i find the general rule of 'if its too good to be true it is ' generally applies

  • WatchNerd on 18/06/2025 - 12:14
    +7

    Check feedback and ratings. If they don't have any and recently joined then steer clear.

  • MS Paint on 18/06/2025 - 12:26
    +6

    @Deon_Hong - any tips for the OP?

  • 30year old Camry on 18/06/2025 - 12:33
    +6

    I was wondeirng if anyone has found any methods to ensure that what you're buying is genuine?

    Ask them, "Is this still available?" If they reply, then it's a scam

    • 87percent on 18/06/2025 - 12:40
      +1

      IF they reply with “yes it is, it can be picked up at (insert address here), and I’m available between 7-9pm each day and I prefer $20’s and $50’s, and I can be contacted on 0400111111… etc etc”

  • Protractor on 18/06/2025 - 12:41

    ( Firstly your have to be kidding unless you came down in the last shower)
    If not
    (Are you sitting down? )

    Buy new from reputable store.
    Buy second hand (your risk) from any place other than FB or GT using grown up due diligence.

    • MS Paint on 18/06/2025 - 12:47
      +2

      using grown up due diligence.

      Ozbargain forums would have tumble weeds and crickets if everyone did this.

      • Protractor on 18/06/2025 - 12:51
        -2

        True dat is.

        Therefore exceeding the IQ of some posters

    • jonoz on 18/06/2025 - 13:06

      Caveat emptor, but it still doesnt hurt to ask if anyone has found methods to validate a new in box with receipt item thats a fair price is legitimate or not.

      Keen to know what your opinion of due diligence is when it comes to looking at a potential FB/GT purchase would be these days?

      Prior to ChatGPT and others coming online and people being able to type "generate me an image of a receipt for a <phone model> bought on <date> from <store name> with the IMEI <imei>". The presence of a receipt was a pretty foolproof way to know what you were buying was genuine.

      • Protractor on 18/06/2025 - 13:13

        It's kind of sad you have to ask. But I'll bite.
        How about seeing how long a seller has been on the site as a seller, what else they have sold.Their ratings.
        I can think of others, but hey deep end and all that. Your key protection strategy is to avoid or get burned. In this dodgy sales online situation , AI just helps lazy crooks rip off lazier victims.

        • jonoz on 18/06/2025 - 13:15

          I was genuinely interested, thanks for biting :)

          I honestly think a lot of people will get taken and fail to heed warnings that when something seems to good to be true, it probably is a scam.

          • Protractor on 18/06/2025 - 13:17

            @jonoz: Natural selection. There's lot's of other candidates who need the sympathy more.

    • jonoz on 18/06/2025 - 13:12
      +1

      Thats fantastic and the quick thing I noticed was that JB HiFi provide an email to validate receipts.
      [email protected]

      • MS Paint on 18/06/2025 - 13:16
        +4

        My takeaway from that thread was never meet up in a park.

  • fantoo on 18/06/2025 - 13:26
    +3

    Buy refurb. ebay has 22% off now.
    Better than marketplace.
    You get 30 days change of mind no question asked guarantee and 1 year warranty.

    I see no brainer.

  • star-ggg on 18/06/2025 - 13:32
    +3

    Cheaper to wait for a good deal on OzB

  • JIMB0 on 18/06/2025 - 14:03
    +1

    Do you also happen to have no insurance on your car?

    • jonoz on 18/06/2025 - 18:11

      Whats the point of this comment?

      • Protractor on 18/06/2025 - 18:54
        -1

        The same value as the OP, in my eyes.
        You got the only feasible answers early, and you're still vacillating out loud many hours later.

        • jonoz on 18/06/2025 - 18:59
          +1

          If people dont have anything constructive to add maybe its better to add nothing. Being dismissive and trolling helps no one.

          What harm has me asking this question done? I'd expect these types of comments in a FB group but expected more from OzB.

          • Protractor on 18/06/2025 - 19:04
            -1

            @jonoz: It's not trolling.It's pointing out that you asked for advice, you got in via the goodwill available. The same advice that was already here on at least a dozen posts before this. I expect your sort of response from a FB group too, which is why I don't do FB. Clearly you do.

            • jonoz on 18/06/2025 - 19:06
              +2

              @Protractor: You’re not “pointing something out,” you’re being condescending. People come here to ask questions, even if they’ve been asked before, that’s how forums work. If you’re tired of seeing the same topics, you can scroll past instead of acting superior. No one’s forcing you to reply.

              • JIMB0 on 18/06/2025 - 19:48

                @jonoz: I'm just shocked that after all the horror stories posted on here, you’re still asking how can I buy a legit phone for cheap. Somehow you think you’re smarter than the scammers, odds are you’re just next.

                It’s the same mindset as the folks who crash their car with no insurance and then show up here asking if there's a magic loophole to fix it.

      • JIMB0 on 18/06/2025 - 18:56

        It's another common pitfall of life for ozbargainers where they try to save a few hundred dollars and it ends up costing them thousands.

        • Protractor on 18/06/2025 - 19:05
          -1

          I thought you were just prepping us for the next post

  • mrkorrupt on 18/06/2025 - 14:48
    +2

    meet at a police station

    • jonoz on 18/06/2025 - 18:14

      Ive wondered about doing this but I feel as if someone of the people would be so brazen as to do it.

      Even right now theres a fake S25 Ultra on eBay where the seller is claiming you can resell it for $1800. Its just a sad state really.

    • Protractor on 18/06/2025 - 19:06
      -1

      They sell second hand phones, now?

  • AwesomeAndrew on 18/06/2025 - 14:54
    +1

    I have make a guide on how to detect fake Samsung flagship phones from Facebook Marketplace / Gumtree.
    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/comment/16355798/redir
    I probably wouldn't trust any receipt you are given as they can be easily faked by scammers. The tests I wrote in the guide above are really difficult and costly for a fake phone to pass, due to relying heavily on the hardware inside the phone. I recommend you to first familiarize yourself with how to perform the checks using your own phone or a friend/family member's phone, and before purchasing ask the seller if they are willing to let you open the box for inspection.

    • jonoz on 18/06/2025 - 15:59

      I did read that after Baysew linked that thread. Unfortunately I wouldnt let someone open something Im selling as brand new in box to run tests on it.

      • AwesomeAndrew on 18/06/2025 - 16:02
        +1

        Even if you can't open the box, on some phones you can try the wireless charging / NFC test without opening the box. The test is not 100% reliable while the phone is still in the box, but if you manage to detect the presence of NFC or wireless charging then most likely the phone is real as all fake phones I've seen don't come with NFC and wireless charging.

  • JumpingUnicorns on 18/06/2025 - 16:45
    +1

    Buy from Reebelo or wait for a deal I say.

  • Drakesy on 18/06/2025 - 17:45
    +2

    Phones and watches are two things i stay away from when buying secondhand.

    Too easy to fake and the fakes are excellent copies on face value.

  • SYLTB on 18/06/2025 - 18:46
    +1

    I always say "do not buy brand new car" but also say "do not buy a used phone".

  • AndyC1 on 18/06/2025 - 19:36
    +1

    I buy from OW or JB or Hardley Normal (first 2 90% of the time) superseded or clearance or phone on special that meet the requirements I need. I do not need a $1.5 to $2K phone as it is not used a cochlear implant processor as this is what I have a desktop for ($/cycle is the best).

    Make sure you read the reviews as the last one I bought lags sometimes compared to the previous phone, but I needed one ASAP as the battery started and I only noticed on a Friday night…….

  • katz on 19/06/2025 - 08:02
    +2

    Couple of things I do:
    - pickup only from inside a police station
    - phone needs to boot up and go through the whole setup process to get to the Home Screen. This is to check the phone isn’t iCloud locked to someone else.
    - bring a power bank to see the phone charges.
    - check serial from Settings app on Apple website (if the seller has claimed it’s under warranty)

    I find the first point especially weeds out all the Scum of the earth. Genuine sellers should always be happy to meet at a police station. Heck when I sell iPhones I always meet inside a police station, again it weeds out all the deadbeats. The buyers who I’ve sold to appreciate the safety aspect of it.

    CASH ONLY!

  • SlickMick on 19/06/2025 - 09:08

    When you turn it on and there are spelling mistakes in OS, walk away.
    When you ask for a receipt and the kid's hand is shaking so much he can't write, walk away.
    Actually access something to ensure there is a wifi chip etc.
    source: a friend recently ignored these red flags and now has a useless replica $1000 iPhone.

  • BigBirdy on 19/06/2025 - 09:21
    +1

    If your aim is to buy a flagship phone at a cheaper price, instead buy a new good mid-range phone. These come up regularly on ozb.

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