ok so i bought a iphone 4s on craigslist and the previous owner reported it as stolen. now i cant use the phone because its been blocked. what can i do? i have the guys phone number and text messages for proof of purchase. will sending it to apple and getting it unlocked work?
iPhone 4S
Not Apple, but the carrier he was using and reported it to. Apple has nothing to do with IMEI blocking - that is done by carriers (or I guess a few countries run national databases).
If you've tried the same carrier and it is blocked, then they would be the ones to take your documents to and make your case.
IMEI blocking also has nothing to do with locking or unlocking. A locked phone will only work with the carrier it is locked to. But even an unlocked phone can be blocked from any network with IMEI blocking.
Not Apple, but the carrier he was using and reported it to. Apple has nothing to do with IMEI blocking - that is done by carriers (or I guess a few countries run national databases).
If you've tried the same carrier and it is blocked, then they would be the ones to take your documents to and make your case.
IMEI blocking also has nothing to do with locking or unlocking. A locked phone will only work with the carrier it is locked to. But even an unlocked phone can be blocked from any network with IMEI blocking.
Typically scam...take our insurance on your phone...report it stolen...collect insurance...sell to unsuspecting buyer, like yourself...use the money from you to purchase new phone. You're left holding the bag. Common in the UK.
Not much you can do...contact the police, but I suspect the seller is long gone. Insurance company most likely owns the phone, & they will not have the blacklist removed.
Apple can't/won't help you, & neither will the carrier.
if the seller is found what can happen? will i get a new phone?
The folks that do these scams rarely get caught.
The lesson here is be very careful when purchasing an iPhone anywhere other than an official source. No, you won't get a new phone...you're the one left holding the "empty bag". Sorry, it is what it is.
bruna14463 wrote:
if the seller is found what can happen? will i get a new phone?
That's highly unlikely. It would be a matter for the civil court to decide what, if any, compensation you could get from the individual who perpetrated the fraud.
Consider this a life lesson. Don't buy things from people you don't trust.
my phone has been reported stolen
