Fake iPhones on sale everywhere: how not to get scammed…

The iPhone is for many the Rolls Royce of mobile phones. So on the one hand, there are the wealthy who precisely buy them at the exit at exorbitant prices without thinking more than that. And then there are the others who pass hours of going through the classifieds on sites like Le Bon Coin to find cheap models. Suddenly, an affordable iPhone appears as if by magic! Quick, they buy it! The disappointment will only be greater when they open the box.

iPhones… Androids?!

To be completely honest, no, opening the box will reassure the buyer that he really got a good deal. These smartphones indeed look like two drops of water to real iPhones. Same design, same curves and even the box seems to be original. It is to be so mistaken! Even better, you turn them on and there you are on iOS. For €400, it really was the bargain of the century. Except that without you realizing it at first, you actually hold an Android device in your hands. Counterfeiters multiply this kind of scams and more and more people fall into the trap if they are not careful when buying it. However, certain details can put you in the ear.

First of all, if you look at the keyboard, you can distinguish between one running Android and one running iOS since the configurations are not the sameas you can see with this comparison:

Finally, and this is the ultimate proof, try to access the Apple App Store. If your device is a fake, you will be unable to install anything. On the other hand, you can strangely download apps from play store from your iphone. A heresy that will confirm to you that there is indeed a worm in the apple.

You have been warned. But how to avoid falling into the panel BEFORE buying?

To learn more, here’s a little Twitter thread to unroll on the precautions to take when buying a used iPhone. When buying remotely, it is best to check IMEI number to be sure it is an iPhone. And to be sure it’s not stolen, use This site. In short, you will have to ask the seller for the IMEI number. It is information very simple to communicate and if the person refuses, it can put you in the ear…

Thread: Checks to do before buying an iPhone from an individual (New / Used) https://t.co/OsL9COuIj1

—Roy Mustang (@Andretti_9_30) December 11, 2022