Suspicious Sellers - iPhone 16

[savvytradrr]

I am in the market for an iPhone 16 pro max and whenever I look at the seller, there is like a 90% chance the account is a new ebayer with 0 feedback score rating.

I think there is a new scam going on because seeing at least 20+ accounts over 2 weeks like this is strange, but does anyone else find that kind of suspicious? 

Bare in mind I find it even odder when:

• Accounts are selling a fake iPhone with Android OS installed that comes from China, some have openly mentioned it in descriptions for example and from basic research, this is a tactic used for phones previously stolen and shipped over to China for modification eg removing parts and adding new ones to remove blocks and locks

• I’ve noticed a few sellers listing photos I have seen other sellers with (and guess what, both accounts are 0 feedback score new accounts) 

• This one is likely covered by eBay’s policies but some sellers are promoting listings for PRO MAX iPhones but their pictures are for iPhone 16 (you will essentially pay more for a phone that is like £100-£200 cheaper) 

[tressygirl]

Sorry,  I have just seen your question is unanswered.

All of what you have spotted and written above,  I too would find  suspicious and avoid at all costs.

Feedback is a great clue as to the authenticity of a seller's selling activity.

The biggest red flag would be those items coming from China at 1 - 200 pound cheaper than retail price. 

Me thinks eBay's 30 day MBG will be working overtime on those items !

@savvytradrr 

[red_magpie]

If more buyers took even half the trouble that you have taken to check things out on eBay there might be fewer scams here.

You can of course report listings, but eBay may not act on suspicions alone - and in any case, its stated policy is that eBay doesn't attempt to chack listings, wheich are the responsibility of the seller. If the buyer receives an item that isn't as described they can use eBay's money back guarantee. But only, of course, if the buyer discovers the fraud withn 30 days, which they often don't - especially with phones.

In fairness to eBay, they do warn buyers in the user agreement that that they do not guarantee the quality of items sold here, that they will be safe, legal - or even exist, or that desctiptions will be truthful or accurate. .

Who would buy a phone - or anything else - from a shop that stated this? But hardly anyone ever reads or heeds the warnings, many just blunder along without even realising the risks. eBay is a jungle.

[savvytradrr]

I reported several listings to eBay and they got pulled but more listings just pop up, I noticed that they have changed how they list items. 

For example:

• You see less 0 feedback accounts but I’m sure people are buying old eBay accounts as these ones have no feedback for like 3 years

• Sellers are moving away from showing the phone switched on (as you can tell from the pictures what OS it’s running) 

[tobiasd4]

Ebay accounts can't be sold.

[savvytradrr]

Scammers buy and sell all sorts of accounts, eBay may not condone it but scammers can pay for the email and password plus for the phone or whatever other 2FA to be switched over.

They do it for a wide range of services, not just for eBay (Amazon, PayPal etc etc).