Is this iphone a fake?

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Is this iphone a fake?

Hi all

Just purchased an Iphone 4S from ebay, from a guy who has good feedback, the auction claimed it had a battery issue (It kept turning off at random)

After buying it, ebay removed the auction, but I'd already paid and he did ship it, but here's where it get suspicious

On plugging the phone in, there's no reaction at all, not when plugged into the computer or mains electric.

I took the sim try out to check the serial/imei, it has nothing on it and the sim tray is..weird, it's like a letter U, it's not a complete tray

Of course, then I looked at the back...oh dear.

"Designed by Apple in California ASsembled in American"

Model No: A1221 FCC ID: 8c****221 IC ID: 578C-A1226

Do I report this matter to the police?

Checking the serial number from the box and it says - We're sorry, but this is a serial number for a product that has been replaced. Please check your information and re-enter your serial number. If your information is correct, you may need to contact us.

But of course, there's no serial number on the phone's sim tray.

Posted on Dec 16, 2013 10:42 AM

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Answer 1

KiltedTim

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Dec 16, 2013 10:52 AM in response to AdamDresch

It's almost definitely fake. File a claim with ebay and get your money back.

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Answer 2

AdamDresch Author

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Dec 16, 2013 11:01 AM in response to KiltedTim

Odd thing is, when I do a few checks on IMEI.info even google, I did a search on the serial number on the box, on google and there's a report of it being stolen, no idea how legit the site is though?

http://www.stolenlostfound.org/stolen-lost-found-property-details-6975

Imei.info says this about the serial on the box:

IMEI: 012537005881989

Model: iPhone 4

Device has been replaced: Yes

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Answer 3

Dec 16, 2013 11:02 AM in response to AdamDresch

Stolen or fake, either way, you should want nothing to do with that phone and I would file a claim with eBay as suggested by KiltedTim.

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Answer 4

KiltedTim

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Dec 16, 2013 11:02 AM in response to AdamDresch

What difference does it make? It doesn't work. Return it for a refund.

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Answer 5

Dec 16, 2013 11:04 AM in response to AdamDresch

I find it very odd that it shows "Designed by Apple in California ASsembled in American". All iPhones were made in China in Foxconn. But i have to ask, is it a 4s? The ways you can tell that it is a 4s is that it has 3.5" screen, sandwiched (glass, metal, glass), band around phone, and square/rectangular shaped. It is most likely a fake but i wouldn't make a police report now. Can you send pictures of the device?

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Answer 6

AdamDresch Author

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Dec 16, 2013 11:10 AM in response to Creeper37757

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Answer 7

AdamDresch Author

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Dec 16, 2013 11:15 AM in response to AdamDresch

Already opened a case with Ebay, just wasn't sure if I should report it to the police too.

Heh, I bought a phone a on November 29th and that turned out to be stolen, now this one, hehe

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Answer 8

KiltedTim

Level 10

195,501 points

Dec 16, 2013 11:17 AM in response to AdamDresch

AdamDresch wrote:

Already opened a case with Ebay, just wasn't sure if I should report it to the police too.

You can either file a claim with ebay and get your money back, or you can turn it over to the police and not get your money back. You probably can't do both.

Heh, I bought a phone a on November 29th and that turned out to be stolen, now this one, hehe

You'd think by this time you'd learn to buy your iPhones from an authorized source...

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Answer 9

Dryw1992

Level 2

320 points

Dec 16, 2013 11:18 AM in response to AdamDresch

Stop buying off ebay!

Just go to an apple store or your carrier

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Answer 10

Dec 16, 2013 11:20 AM in response to AdamDresch

Im very sure it's the 4 or 4s (it's hard to tell the difference. I think you should check with Apple to make sure it's a valid iPhone (just with engraving errors). If they say it isn't, I would contact eBay with the photos and the reply you sent to KiltedTim.

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