Advice Needed: Got Scammed

[JaySoul]

So, I made a mistake. I bought a Samsung Galaxy S5 on Gumtree (like Craigslist) in the UK.

It turned out to be a very high quality fake.

Now I won't sell it on as I was so gutted, I don't want anyone else to feel that way. A refund isn't possible, the police aren't interested, Gumtree couldn't care less... So basically I'm stuck with it.

It looks like an S5, but has a 5" screen. The battery is good. It has a 16mp camera and an 8-core processor too (the benchmark is above 27,000). It's running Android 4.4.2.

So basically it does work as a phone and media device (although some concessions have definitely been made).

What would you advise I do with it? Can I flash ROM's onto it or is that device specific?

PS - You can make fun of my naivity lol. Cheers.

 

[mclld]

I would buy a knock off if the price was right

 

[JaySoul]

I would buy a knock off if the price was right

Go for it.

 

[jamezr]

So, I made a mistake. I bought a Samsung Galaxy S5 on Gumtree (like Craigslist) in the UK.

It turned out to be a very high quality fake.

Now I won't sell it on as I was so gutted, I don't want anyone else to feel that way. A refund isn't possible, the police aren't interested, Gumtree couldn't care less... So basically I'm stuck with it.

It looks like an S5, but has a 5" screen. The battery is good. It has a 16mp camera and an 8-core processor too (the benchmark is above 27,000). It's running Android 4.4.2.

So basically it does work as a phone and media device (although some concessions have definitely been made).

What would you advise I do with it? Can I flash ROM's onto it or is that device specific?

PS - You can make fun of my naivity lol. Cheers.

This could happen to anyone! So don't feel bad....
You might want to list it on eBay or another site.....but advertise it as a Galaxy S5 clone. It has very nice specs and performance so you might be able to get all or most of you money back. But at least you would be honest about what it is and what it is not. Good luck!

 

[JaySoul]

This could happen to anyone! So don't feel bad....
You might want to list it on eBay or another site.....but advertise it as a Galaxy S5 clone. It has very nice specs and performance so you might be able to get all or most of you money back. But at least you would be honest about what it is and what it is not. Good luck!

I did advertise it on eBay and then again on Gumtree being honest and....

Both times the listings got taken down

Irony of ironies.

 

[saturnotaku]

I did advertise it on eBay and then again on Gumtree being honest and....

Both times the listings got taken down

Irony of ironies.

Then re-list it without using the words "Galaxy S5" and "clone." Advertise it as a generic Android smartphone.

 

[mclld]

Yeah do not put GS5 in the listing, how much do you want for it?

 

[JaySoul]

Yeah do not put GS5 in the listing, how much do you want for it?

Let me message you.

 

[MRU]

Sorry to hear that JaySoul....

How did you pay for it ?

Did you pay for it via PayPal ? If so you will have coverage via PayPal and failing them you should be able to do a chargeback to your CC company.

 

[aeboi]

Sorry to hear that JaySoul....

How did you pay for it ?

Did you pay for it via PayPal ? If so you will have coverage via PayPal and failing them you should be able to do a chargeback to your CC company.

Gumtree, like Craigslist, is a person to person transaction, no paypal is involved.

 

[JaySoul]

Sorry to hear that JaySoul....

How did you pay for it ?

Did you pay for it via PayPal ? If so you will have coverage via PayPal and failing them you should be able to do a chargeback to your CC company.

Gumtree, like Craigslist, is a person to person transaction, no paypal is involved.

Like aeboi says. P2P. Cash.

It's gone, baby. Gone.

Anyway I've put it on eBay as advised above, let's see what happens. It's a surprisingly high spec clone, if that makes any sense lol.

 

[MRU]

Gumtree, like Craigslist, is a person to person transaction, no paypal is involved.

Yeah we have something similar here called adverts.ie but I generally only deal with individuals if they accept payment via paypal, and have good feedback from others.

----------

Like aeboi says. P2P. Cash.

It's gone, baby. Gone.

Anyway I've put it on eBay as advised above, let's see what happens. It's a surprisingly high spec clone, if that makes any sense lol.

Best of luck JaySoul ....

 

[mattopotamus]

Is the only difference the .2"? It sounds like a good phone based on the specs you listed. Will it just never get updates?

 

[MRU]

Is the only difference the .2"? It sounds like a good phone based on the specs you listed. Will it just never get updates?

I believe the fakes also only have 1gb of ram, the fingerprint reader and heart rate sensor don't actually work ..... That's based on the ones I've seen in YouTube.

 

[Sensamic]

Was it not advertised as a clone or generic phone when you bought it? If it was advertised as a true SGS5 then the police or the site should do something.

I've never bought in eBay if it's not though PayPal, but this just shows how dangerous Internet is.

There's always that fear that the product bought might have some defect, be a clone, etc.

You just can't trust people

 

[Switchback666]

No shame in that, same thing happened to me on eBay but I was lucky to just chargeback and throw the fake note in the garbage.

Sucks that you paid in cash, how much was it ? With luck maybe you can recoup most of what you paid.

 

[HiDEF]

Like aeboi says. P2P. Cash.

It's gone, baby. Gone.

Anyway I've put it on eBay as advised above, let's see what happens. It's a surprisingly high spec clone, if that makes any sense lol.

JaySoul, random question: did it come with accessories like a charger or just the device by itself?

 

[Switchback666]

JaySoul, random question: did it come with accessories like a charger or just the device by itself?

I didn't take any pictures but i can tell you that the fake note 3 i got included even the paper instructions with the bands and i think it was the same material samsung use for the boxes; it even came with the same sticker on the screen.

 

[JaySoul]

Is the only difference the .2"? It sounds like a good phone based on the specs you listed. Will it just never get updates?

Actually only 0.1" difference in screen, but it's not the full resolution. Definitely 16mp camera, 8-core, it scores over 27,000 in the benchmarks and some of the touches (especially the back) are faultless.

I believe the fakes also only have 1gb of ram, the fingerprint reader and heart rate sensor don't actually work ..... That's based on the ones I've seen in YouTube.

Yeah it's got 1gb RAM, and not all the sensors seem to work.

Was it not advertised as a clone or generic phone when you bought it? If it was advertised as a true SGS5 then the police or the site should do something.

I've never bought in eBay if it's not though PayPal, but this just shows how dangerous Internet is.

There's always that fear that the product bought might have some defect, be a clone, etc.

You just can't trust people

I've bought/sold loads of phones on eBay over the years and never had a problem. This was the first time I used Gumtree and most definitely the last! It was advertised as genuine but the police couldn't care less, nor could Gumtree.

No shame in that, same thing happened to me on eBay but I was lucky to just chargeback and throw the fake note in the garbage.

Sucks that you paid in cash, how much was it ? With luck maybe you can recoup most of what you paid.

It was a significant amount. Not going to make a massive dent in my life, but just the FEELING of getting ripped off is what hurt.

But need to shake it off. It was a good lesson to learn.

JaySoul, random question: did it come with accessories like a charger or just the device by itself?

Came with the S5 box, the brand new fancy S5 charger, instructions etc. It really seemed like the real deal. I even switched it on first before I paid and if you're only looking for a minute, it seems genuine.

It was only once I got home I started to realise.

I didn't take any pictures but i can tell you that the fake note 3 i got included even the paper instructions with the bands and i think it was the same material samsung use for the boxes; it even came with the same sticker on the screen.

Yep. Have to say these fakes have gotten pretty damn convincing. I just had a moment of stupidity.

 

[Switchback666]

I know that feel mate but like you say it's a lesson learned.

Agree ! This fake phones are getting better and better, it's a dam shame people are selling this like the genuine because believe or not there is a market for fake phones ! A lot of people don't mind so no reason to rip/trick people.

Anyway the guy is lucky, one day he will do this to the wrong person and will get a nice beat down.

 

[MRU]

We've all been burned before matey. I have been ripped off for a SSD for €300 and an Xbox One back in December for €410 (both instances of seller not sending on the goods after being paid for and both a complete nightmare) ............. Keep us posted. Routing that you get a sale on eBay to recover some of the cost.

 

[0dev]

The police won't care and Gumtree, being what it is, probably won't either. But since it's high spec you should get at least £200 back on eBay. Just learn your lesson from this and remember to check these things very carefully in the future. If you need to, meet with the seller in a phone shop so you can compare what he's selling with the display phones to make sure it's legit.

I believe the fakes also only have 1gb of ram, the fingerprint reader and heart rate sensor don't actually work ..... That's based on the ones I've seen in YouTube.

To be fair, the heart rate sensor doesn't work on the actual GS5 either

 

[ucfgrad93]

I'm sorry to hear what happened OP. I hope you can sell this and recoup some of your money.

 

[Dontazemebro]

Any screenshots? I'm curious as to what the ui looks like. If it's stock Android, that might be a boon.

 

[pdqgp]

Pay the guy another face to face. I'd beat a refund out of a scammer in a heartbeat