Guelph Police warn the public to be wary of buying items online, after a Markham woman this week purchased a fake iPhone in Guelph.
The woman called police on Tuesday afternoon. She reported she had driven to Guelph after arranging via an online sales website to purchase an iPhone 12 Pro Max for $1,550.
The caller and seller met in a parking lot on Stone Road West near Gordon Street for the exchange. The victim believed the phone was authentic, and was even allowed to check the IMEI identification number on the box to confirm it was not reported stolen. After chatting with the seller a while, the victim handed over the cash and the two parted ways.
Afterwards the victim discovered the device was not an authentic iPhone as it was unable to download Apple apps, the menu was different from other iPhones and the IMEI number on the device was different from that on the box.
The seller was described as a Caucasian woman, approximately 35. The victim did not see a vehicle associated to the seller.
Police have seen a recent rise in similar scams. Last month, police in Waterloo Region reported a very similar exchange, with a fake iPhone 12 Pro Max sold for $1,500 via online sale.
The Guelph incident remains under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call Const. Konrad Babol at 519-824-1212, ext. 7189, email him at [email protected], leave an anonymous tip for Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or leave an anonymous tip online at www.csgw.tips.
