Shoppers hunting for a cheap second-hand smartphone on online marketplaces are being warned to watch out for scammers selling counterfeit devices disguised as genuine iPhones and Samsung phones. France's Ministry of Economy says fraud is common on peer-to-peer resale sites and can affect any product, but smartphones are a particular target.
The ministry's website states that malicious individuals can be present on these sites and may try to trick buyers into handing over personal information or bank details.
Why phones are an easy target
Mobile phones make an attractive target for fraudsters because they are expensive, in high demand, and relatively easy to modify or counterfeit. On a marketplace, unscrupulous sellers can pass off a low-end handset as an iPhone or a Samsung device and sell it for several hundred euros.
Counterfeiters have become skilled enough to reproduce a phone's shape and attach the brand's logo to the back. A buyer may believe they are purchasing an authentic device, when in fact it is a fake. In some cases the imitation is so convincing that the buyer only realizes the deception once they start using the phone, noticing a suspicious interface or unusual slowness.
How to spot a fake before you pay
There is a simple trick to avoid falling into the trap. Before making a payment, buyers should always ask the seller for the phone's IMEI number, a unique identifier of 15 to 17 digits that acts as an ID card for a smartphone or tablet. The number can be found on the phone's original packaging, in the device settings, or by typing *#06# on the handset's keypad.
The ministry cautions that a dishonest seller could provide a perfectly valid IMEI number that actually belongs to a different phone than the one being advertised. Because of this, it is best to arrange an in-person handover and check the IMEI directly on the screen of the phone being sold, rather than trusting a number sent in a message. If an in-person meeting is not possible, the ministry advises against taking the risk and instead recommends turning to trusted resellers who offer secure payment options.
Other precautions recommended by the ministry
The Ministry of Economy also set out a list of general reflexes shoppers should follow on resale platforms. Buyers should be wary of listings offering prices that seem too good to be true, check that the product description is detailed and consistent, and take the time to read reviews of the seller.
The ministry also advises confirming that payment methods are secure, that delivery costs and timeframes are clearly stated, and that the product comes with a warranty.
