Purchased a 'stolen' iPhone. eBay no help. What do I do now?

[mikisftf]

I was bidding on an iPhone.  The listing did NOT include the IMEI number.  So, I messaged the seller asking for this number.  The seller said they would find it and reply later.  As it was getting closser to the end time, I again messaged the seller.  However, they did not reply before the listing ended and I had won the item.

I then received a message asking when I would pay for the item.. I replied asking when the seller would be supplying the IMEI number.

The seller sent the IMEI number, which I checked straight away.  I discovered that 1) the iphone had been reported as "Lost or Stolen" on the AMTA database 2) it was carrier locked to Vodafone, who (of course) identified it as 'stolen' and will not 'unlock' stolen phones.

I then contacted the seller and informed them of the above.  I also requested the member's contact details via eBay.

The 'seller' started giving excuses, pleaded innocence, and asked that I not report the matter to Police or eBay.  I saw that this "seller" was ending their messages with a male name - while I saw from eBay's reply that the account owner was a female.  i asked the 'seller' about this, and he replied that the account owner was his girl friend - who had given her permission for him to use her account.  He also made admissions about the "Lost" iPhone (as he called it - even though it was obviously now "found" and therefore was now stolen property.

I immediately ceased communication because I had no way of knowing if the account had been hacked and even if it had not, I know that one is not permitted to let someone else use your account.

I reported the sale, the member, and the use of the account, to eBay.  I included the IMEI number and links to Vodafone and the AMTA.  I also said that they should read my message history with the seller's account for proof.  After two days I received a strange reply saying that they can't/won't do anything about the listing unless the Poice contact them.  They also ignored/did not reply about the misuse of the seller's account.

I don't really want to have to print everything out (listing/sale/message history/AMTA report/Vodafone unlocking report) and go to my local Police Station.  I mean, what would they even do - if anything?

I tried calling eBay (after obtaining a refference number), but the call terminated after 1hour 3minutes of waiting on 'hold'.

Just wondering if anyone in the eBay community have any good ideas of what to do next.  Cancel transaction? Leave neg feedback.  Try eBay again? Go to the Police?

[mikisftf]

>Well, I wouldn't buy an iPhone. I have issues with Apple's business model.

Well, that is your choice.  All my family, here and overseas, have iPhones - except for one Aunt.

>Nevertheless I wouldn't buy a phone, or a computer, or a fridge, or furniture, or a TV, or electronics (especially from China), or pretty much anything that was worth dollars and I wanted a warranty on, online.

Again, your choice.  However, I do not need to buy a used iPhone with warranty.  Just so long as it is an AU/NZ market model so my Aunt can get an out-of-warranty replacement if need be.

>As others have said, including me, there are things that don't lend themselves to buying online.

Well, as far as mt experience goes, iPhones do lend themselves to being bought and sold online.  I have sold a few, and have purchased a few online.  Most with no problems.

>There is also the 'if it seems too good to be true, it is' factor.

In this stolen iPhone story this addage does/did not apply.  Until after the IMEI number was supplied.

[ytwo000]

should of asked the question before bidding..everyone knows this.!!..just dont understand people who buy/bid,then ask questions..

[mikisftf]

>"should of asked the question before bidding..everyone knows this.!!..just dont understand people who buy/bid,then ask questions.."

Yes!  Very good advice soaper2005.

However, if you read my original post you can see that that was the first thing I did.

"The listing did NOT include the IMEI number.  So, I messaged the seller asking for this number.  The seller said they would find it and reply later.  As it was getting closser to the end time, I again messaged the seller.  However, they did not reply before the listing ended and I had won the item."

So, I asked BEFORE making a bid.  The supossed seller fobbed me off with an excuse that they were not at home and would get back to me with the IMEI number.

From memory I made only one bid, and ended up winning the listing,

Also, eBay have a limit on the number of messages/questions one can send in any 24hour period.

With so many sellers of mobile phones IGNORING the eBay advice to include the IMEI number, AND with so many listings being made via the eBay Mobile App (where I believe one does not receive that warning message) -a buyer can easily run out of messaging capability.

Indeed, I have just received a message from eBay stating that I can not send any more messages/questions for 24hours.

So, now I can't even ask for a missing IMEI number before bidding or buying!

On another subject.  I have just spoken with eBay's Trust and Safety.  Although they can do nothing about this sale of stolen property, as the Police will not act - they have confirmed that the person using the sellers account was not authorised to do so.  So they will be acting on that in some way.

[rosebelle9798]

What a sad reflection of what Australian society is becoming.

I'm sorry I am getting old but it used to be that Police required you to report a crime to them and that they were legally obliged to act!

With technology the tracing of stolen goods makes this duty easier than it ever was - no excuse! Maybe the turning of a blind eye by authorities is why these crimes are escalating. Why don't we all just steal and sell on EBay, no one cares and you'll get away with it; is the message I'm getting..

[mikisftf]

>"just steal and sell on EBay, no one cares and you'll get away with it"

Just search on "iPhone blocked" with the option "Search including Title and description".

She how many stolen iPhones you find being offered for sale.

[mikisftf]

I found this ->

http://pages.ebay.com.au/electronics/phonesIMEI.html

TRADING PHONES SAFELY ON eBAY

Every mobile handset can be identified by its unique IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity). From September 2003, Telstra, Vodafone & Optus are scheduled to block the use of all reported lost and stolen phones being used on any Australian network.

As a buyer or seller of second hand mobiles, we recommend that you should take the following steps to ensure that mobile you trade is not recorded as lost or stolen.

Buyers

• Check to see if the handset IMEI number has been listed by the seller.
• If it hasn’t, email the seller to request the IMEI (& ask them to add it to their listing)
• Check the status of that handset by following the steps in the IMEI check outlined below

Sellers

• Always include your handset’s IMEI prominently in the listing
• If you are not sure what the IMEI is, simply press *#06# on your mobile
• Follow the steps outlined below in the IMEI check to ensure that you are not inadvertently selling a lost or stolen handset