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Bought stolen phone..

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  • 21-03-2014 7:03pm
    #1
    hapjeong
    Registered Users Posts: 3 ✭


    Hey guys,

    Ok, so a few weeks ago I bought a phone from a guy selling online.

    We met, I paid the cash and everything was fine until a few days ago when I couldn't connect to any network. I tried everything and still couldn't connect.

    Now I find from a network that the phone was reported stolen and the IMEI has been blocked.

    Obviously I'm pissed. I paid 300E.

    The guy is still trading online. I have his number but nothing more.

    Any suggestions?


Comments

  • Options
    #2
    Gatling
    Registered Users Posts: 40,291 ✭✭✭✭Gatling


    It might not be actually stolen ,

    Chances are he got the phone on bill pay and put it up for sale and then reported it stolen and got phone replaced by insurance,

    You won't have much comeback after paying cash
    360_F_102352090_ie3kLjDIvgrT1sxVDknWCUh8PxgMYzM7.jpg




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    #3
    hapjeong
    Registered Users Posts: 3 ✭hapjeong


    Yeah, I think you are probably right.

    I don't feel like giving up though.. haha

    It's in my mind to offer to buy another one of his phones, meet up with one of my mates and ask for my money back.

    I'm aware that caveat emptor applies but what he did was wrong.


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    #4
    fergus1001
    Registered Users Posts: 2,625 ✭✭✭fergus1001


    hapjeong wrote: »
    Yeah, I think you are probably right.

    I don't feel like giving up though.. haha

    It's in my mind to offer to buy another one of his phones, meet up with one of my mates and ask for my money back.

    I'm aware that caveat emptor applies but what he did was wrong.

    it is possible to flash a new IMEI NUMBER onto the phone but it may be illegal so i shall say no more

    http://google.ie


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    #5
    Kristopherus
    Registered Users Posts: 11,907 ✭✭✭✭Kristopherus


    hapjeong wrote: »
    Yeah, I think you are probably right.

    I don't feel like giving up though.. haha

    It's in my mind to offer to buy another one of his phones, meet up with one of my mates and ask for my money back.

    I'm aware that caveat emptor applies but what he did was wrong.

    Can/is the phone be rooted?


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    #6
    StaticNoise
    Registered Users Posts: 2,405 ✭✭✭StaticNoise


    Lads, I'm the first to criticise the trigger-happy closing nature of the mods on Boards, but this is tricky territory. I would figure out if the guy definitely scammed you, or if it was stolen.

    If he's being a jerk and scammed you, then you could do the IMEI changing, but if it was robbed, so the nice thing and tell the police.


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    #7
    liamog
    Moderators, Motoring & Transport Moderators, Regional East Moderators Posts: 7,802 Mod ✭✭✭✭liamog


    It's either robbed or insurance fraud, either way go to the Garda.


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    #8
    hapjeong
    Registered Users Posts: 3 ✭hapjeong


    Thanks for the replies lads.


    The phone was fresh out of the box when I bought it. I believe it is some sort of insurance fraud.

    My 3 options are:
    1. flash a new IMEI
    2. arrange to meet him again pretending to want to buy another phone
    3. go to the Gardai.

    I would go to the garda only I have only his phone number and web marketplace ID. I'm not sure what good this would do me.

    Obviously if we meet again, it might be a bit dodgy, but I'm down 300 E and can meet him in a public place.

    The IMEI has been reported as stolen to the original network so I'm fairly certain it's an insurance scam.


  • Options
    #9
    IRCA
    Registered Users Posts: 385 ✭✭IRCA


    hapjeong wrote: »
    Thanks for the replies lads.


    The phone was fresh out of the box when I bought it. I believe it is some sort of insurance fraud.

    My 3 options are:
    1. flash a new IMEI
    2. arrange to meet him again pretending to want to buy another phone
    3. go to the Gardai.

    I would go to the garda only I have only his phone number and web marketplace ID. I'm not sure what good this would do me.

    Obviously if we meet again, it might be a bit dodgy, but I'm down 300 E and can meet him in a public place.

    The IMEI has been reported as stolen to the original network so I'm fairly certain it's an insurance scam.


    I would report it to the Garda Fraud Unit

    http://www.garda.ie/Controller.aspx?Page=29

    giving them as much info as you have and they can then investigate, once you have a genuine legitmate belief that the phone was not stolen (and it appears you have) then you should be ok reporting it. You may not get your money back, but at least it may stop others falling into the same trap.


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    #10
    StaticNoise
    Registered Users Posts: 2,405 ✭✭✭StaticNoise


    Be careful, he or she may be suspicious should the phone already be blocked. Also, consider the Insurance Federation of Ireland's hotline, as it is especially for this kind of stuff.


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    #11
    tazzzZ
    Registered Users Posts: 462 ✭✭tazzzZ


    You should be able to arrange something with the Gardai. you could arrange to buy something else off him, when you meet have gardai there to deal with him. its not entrapment as he is only being dealt with for a crime he has already committed. very simple.

    also you have to take into account that if you are ever stopped by gardai with this phone on you, you can be charged for handling/possession of stolen property.


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