buying mobile phones from ebay

[shamsuf]

what if I buy a mobile phone from ebay and it turned out to be stolen one?

suppose after buying the mobile phone i check the IMEI number and it turned out to be stolen one and is now locked by manufacturer.

[lyndal1838]

Some things should never be bought on ebay...mobile phones are one ot them.

[*crikey*mate*]

Yep, I'm really sorry to all of those genuine sellers of mobile phones out there, but I do agree with Lyn, there have been so many scams involving the sale of mobiles on eBay, so even if you do get it, you've still got to hope that it works.

Just don't. That's what I reckon.

However to answer youyr question that doesn't actually seem concerned with the fact that the phone is stolen (in which case you really should hand it over to the police)

I'm not sure what jailbreak means in relation to phones, but I think that it means you can release it from being locked to a specific contractor and I'm further pretty sure that google will probably teach you how to do it. But the very fact that it's called "jailbreak" sorta leaves me to believe that this action alone may be illegal as well as the host of illegal activities involved in the purchase, receipt and retainment of stolen property.

If you do buy one and you suspect it may be stolen,, I think to get your refund back from PayPal you would have to provide proof, so really, is it worth all of the hassle?

Soooooo much easier and less risk to just buy from a B&M, dont ya think?

However, if your OP isn't a hypothetical and you have already bought a phone that you suspect to be stolen - contact your seller (it's a courtesy thing, ok?) then contact PayPal immediately (if 45 days have not passed since purchased) and at least get it in the system there by way of a SNAD as if a seller knowingly sold you a stolen phone, he's unlikely to do the right thing by you now.

I'd also ring PayPal and ask them what you should do in the meantime whilst waiting for a response from the seller.

Plus, I'd say some others will come along shortly to tell you the process for handing it in to the police etc and how to cover yourself to have the best chance of being refunded by PayPal. (I'm not sure what PayPal requires of you when handling stolen goods, so either ask them or wait and see if someone from here can advise you)

Best of luck with it all.

[bsal6160 · Accepted solution]

If you suspect it to be stolen you need to take it to your local police station who can then verify if stolen or not. If stolen, they will take the phone from you, write a report and give you a report number which you then use to open a claim against the seller. You then also report the seller AND eBay to the police. Firstly the seller for selling stolen goods then eBay for allowing the sale of stolen goods, they are NOT above the law. Not knowing it was stolen can not be used by ebay as a defence against allowing the sale. It is their responsibilty to ensure this does not happen.

But as others have already said, there are things that just dont avail themselves for sale on eBay and phones are right at the top of the list. Way to many problems occur.

[nardiabythelake]

If I was to buy a mobile phone from anyone, online or otherwise, I'd ask for the IMIE number and check it prior to committing to buy it.