UPDATE: RCMP make arrest in connection to sale of fraudulent smartphones

(Update: Aug. 29, 2019): A suspect has been arrested and charged in connection with the sale of fraudulent smartphones, police announced today.

The North Vancouver RCMP first became aware of this trend early in 2019, and received 12 individual reports from victims who had unknowingly purchased the fake phones.

Police executed a search warrant at a North Vancouver home and seized seven fake phones.

Jesse Sailer, age 26 of North Vancouver, appeared in North Vancouver Provincial Court on August 28, and is facing charges of Fraud under $5000.

(Original story: Aug. 27, 2019)

Consumers in BC are being warned about a recent trend where fake smartphones are being sold at a below market price.

According to a release from the North Vancouver RCMP, the unsuspecting buyers are targeted online.

The seller will have some sort of believable story as to why they are re-selling the phone at a discount rather than returning it to the store themselves. The seller then offers to meet the buyer in a public place, and shows up with the phone as promised.

“These phones are extremely realistic looking,” explains Corporal Alex Bojic, of North Vancouver’s Economic Crime Unit. “They often come vacuum sealed in what appears to be authentic packaging, complete with a barcode from a local business and a matching receipt.”

Bojic adds that the buyer will open the package and find that the phone comes with all the components, accessories, and manuals.

“The phone powers up as normal to a home screen that looks legit. It’s only after the buyer takes the phone home and starts opening individual settings and applications that they’ll realize something is up,” he says.

Another risk is that the customer may be getting a deal because the scammer has pre-loaded the phone with malware, and is planning to steal the buyer’s data.

Since the beginning of 2019, the North Vancouver RCMP have seized at least fifteen counterfeit smartphones.

“There are strategies that you can use to protect yourself from online fraud,” says Bojic, “but the best strategy when buying a smartphone is to stick with trusted retailers.”

Anyone who has been victim of this kind of scam is encouraged to contact their local police.