Controversal subject- Stolen Mobile Phones Listed on eBayAU (IMEI Blocked and/or Activation Locked)

[mikisftf]

As I am still looking to buy another iPhone, I see numerous listings for stolen iPhones.  Some (not many) even include the IMEI number - or the seller provides one when asked to do so.

eBay will not remove these listings unless asked to do so by 'law enforcement'.  However, it appears that Australian 'law enforcement' are not interested in stolen property.  I tried my local Police Station, the CrimeStopper 1800 number, and the Federal Police.  No one would take a report regarding the sales of stolen property on eBay Australia.  The only assistance offered was to report the listings as Online Fraud via a Queensland based Police Site.  However, this was useless as the site only dealt with fraud AFTER one had paid for an item.  In any case, this is not fraud - it is sale of stolen goods and goods in custody.

The IMEI blocking of mobile phones has not stopped their sale on eBay Australia for use in other countries or for spare parts.

Now the Activation Lock introduced by Apple with their iOS7 has also failed to stop the sales of stolen iPhones on eBay,  In fact it only appears to have encoraged more thefts.  As the criminals need to steal and sell more phones to 'feed' their needs (drug addictions?).

http://harvestcellular.net/icloud-find-iphone-ios-7-activation-lock-failed/

The only thing that might work is for eBay to remove the listings for stolen phones themselves - without waiting for 'law enforcement'.  After all, it is not like other stolen goods where there would be proof needed that the item(s) were stolen property.

What does the eBay community think about this?

[mikisftf]

>Just got my BRAND NEW Samsung S4.

 >From my local Telstra shop.

 >Easy as.

Congratulations.  Thank you for letting us all know.

Just how does this relate to the Controversal subject of Stolen Mobile Phones Listed on eBay Australia ?

[davewil1964]

Because I wasn't silly enough to buy one through eBay?

[mikisftf]

>Because I wasn't silly enough to buy one through eBay?

This thread is not about buying stolen mobile phones on eBay.

It is about having the listings for stolen phones quickly and efficently removed BEFORE they can be sold (to those who would sell/use them outside Australia, or strip them for parts).

[bunstonious]

I agree with the OP on this one, eBay should provide better facility to remove obviously stolen listings, if only to try and reduce the sellability of stolen phones and then making it less desirable to steal phones.

It will affect all of the posters here by way that if they are broken into, or if someone targets their phone, it would be more desirable to steal.

PS: Stop derailing the thread, if you don't agree shut your mouth, the OP wasn't asking if you disagree with buying phones online.

[2106greencat]

Apart from this being an old thread, the buyer has every chance to check on a sellers reputation - and how would eBay know if a phone was stolen.

Buyer beware - if it looks too good to be true, it probably is.

and as to the shut your mouth reference - maybe once you have the experience and credibility of the poster you responded to, people would take you seriously, rather than think you are a tool of the highest order!

[*crikey*mate*]

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@2106greencat wrote:

 - and how would eBay know if a phone was stolen.

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Don't the sellers include that information in big capital letters in the title and shoot off an eMail to Trust and Safety to let them know?

[harley_babes_hoard]

My thought are if you are buying a phone online you are buying trouble. Go to a B & M shop and buy one with warranty and back up service.

[davewil1964]

Who are you psing, oh font of wisdom?

It is common knowledge that phones are pretty much the most scam prone items listed online. Stolen or not. Followed by TVs, most electronics, vehicles (although that is usually the buyers scamming)

[barney_rubbles]

Ebay should make it a rule & legal requirement that all sellers of mobile phones include the IMEI number in the listing. Ok this will not stop stolen phones being listed but its better than nothing, a bit like listing vehicles with the VIN number.

        Bit off topic but i was looking for posts about fake phones as i heard/read a few times there are not only stolen but also counterfeit phones on ebay. I agree that buying expensive electronic items on ebay is not a good idea so i am only looking for something under $100.

I was looking at item# 271429848121 looks to be legit but i am not very experienced with buying phones, i would think any fakes would be the more expensive new phones though, thoughts?

[pricelessbooksandrecords]

>

I agree with the OP on this one, eBay should provide better facility to remove obviously stolen listings, if only to try and reduce the sellability of stolen phones and then making it less desirable to steal phones.

 <

SO DO I !