Just bought a lost or stolen iPhone

[mplayers2005]

Some guy just sold me a lost or stolen iPhone, just found out when I got my micro sim earlier today and tried to make a call. The iPhone is also factory unlocked , my question is can my friend use my iPhone on t-mobile network ?

[Iphull]

Have you considered taking it to Verizon or Sprint? They could tell by the numbers on the phone who it belongs to. Sorry, but just because you paid for it doesn't mean it belongs to you. Someone stole my phone once and sold it for $10. So excuse me if I sound like I'm on a high horse. I'm only putting myself in the shoes of the true owner. Must suck for them right now.

[mrsir2009]

Originally Posted by Iphull

Have you considered taking it to Verizon or Sprint? They could tell by the numbers on the phone who it belongs to. Sorry, but just because you paid for it doesn't mean it belongs to you. Someone stole my phone once and sold it for $10. So excuse me if I sound like I'm on a high horse. I'm only putting myself in the shoes of the true owner. Must suck for them right now.

The OP is just as much a victim, though... It’s a difficult situation, because if the OP keeps it then the owner loses out on a phone they paid for, whereas if the owner gets it back the OP loses out on a phone he paid for too. Tricky.

Depends on how much the OP got the phone for, too... If it was 30 bucks, then the answer is simple. But if it was $500? Not so simple.

[Iphull]

Wanna know how I knew it was sold for $10? Because I called my number and a girl answered. I heard someone say "don't answer" and hung up. I kept calling until she answered. I gave her $20 to get it back. :-)

But as a rule, if someone is selling a valuable item for dirt cheap, there's usually a reason.

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To answer your question, it won't work if its a Verizon or Sprint iPhone.

[mplayers2005]

Originally Posted by Iphull

Wanna know how I knew it was sold for $10? Because I called my number and a girl answered. I heard someone say "don't answer" and hung up. I kept calling until she answered. I gave her $20 to get it back. :-)

But as a rule, if someone is selling a valuable item for dirt cheap, there's usually a reason.

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To answer your question, it won't work if its a Verizon or Sprint iPhone.

It's an AT&T iPhone that is factory unlocked, from what I know I did buy it from the owners the thing was like brand new... Now I no longer have there contact or anything.. So your saying it will work on t mobile ???

[Applejuiced]

All you gotta do is stick a tmobile sim in and you will find out.
If its unlocked offcourse it will work.

[Stu2510]

Originally Posted by mplayers2005

It's an AT&T iPhone that is factory unlocked, from what I know I did buy it from the owners the thing was like brand new... Now I no longer have there contact or anything.. So your saying it will work on t mobile ???

What did you do, buy the phone then immediately delete any record of buying it? Come on, do the right thing and hand it in...

[617aircav]

Originally Posted by mplayers2005

Some guy just sold me a lost or stolen iPhone, just found out when I got my micro sim earlier today and tried to make a call. The iPhone is also factory unlocked , my question is can my friend use my iPhone on t-mobile network ?

How did you find out it was stolen?

[joonyaboy]

Between you and the original owner, you guys may be able to identify/catch the thief.

If not, people will assume you stole it or were in on it

[960design]

I just try to follow these ten little rules. I think your case is listed specifically.

#7 You shall not steal.

Each State has their own feelings about this:
Receiving stolen property and possession of stolen property are treated as separate offenses in some jurisdictions. The distinguishing element is when the person knew that the property was stolen. If the person knew that the property was stolen at the time he received it, the crime is receiving stolen property. If the person did not know the property was stolen at the time she received it but found out after receiving possession, the crime is possession of stolen property.

Good luck and happy karma.

[Wicked1]

all seems fishy, as he knows it is stolen, everyone is giving the OP advice and he continues to ask to see if it will work on T-Mobile if he gives it to a friend?

If it was stolen, I would contact the person you bought it from and find out where they got it, if they say they bought it new, ask for a receipt or proof, or you can report them to the police. As for the phone? I would contact the carrier they might be able to track down the original purchaser then you can work with them to get your money back, I would not just hand the phone to anyone after you paid for it, would not be fair to you to do the right thing and be out all sorts of money, however that being said, just still seems like a fishy deal.

[barkomatic]

That's the dirty side of unlocking phones with a third party who sell "factory" unlocks. I think its fine to unlock a phone that you own, but I've noticed that most sellers advertising unlocks point out that they can unlock stolen and lost iPhones as well. A seller can't really avoid a thief using their service to unlock a stolen iPhone, but they don't have to advertise the fact either.

[mplayers2005]

Originally Posted by Stu2510

What did you do, buy the phone then immediately delete any record of buying it? Come on, do the right thing and hand it in...

Hand it into who??the cops have no record of it, AT&T will not give out anyones info and want to have nothing to do with the iPhone. The gay guys I bought it from we're moving and sold me the iPhone they looked like te og owner. The must I'm thinking what's going on is insurance fraud, they lied to apple care that it was lost or stolen just read an online article bout this crap

[sulpfiction]

Originally Posted by mplayers2005

Hand it into who??the cops have no record of it, AT&T will not give out anyones info and want to have nothing to do with the iPhone. The gay guys I bought it from we're moving and sold me the iPhone they looked like te og owner. The must I'm thinking what's going on is insurance fraud, they lied to apple care that it was lost or stolen just read an online article bout this crap

How exactly does being gay & moving tie into to them "looking" like the original owner? Just curious how you put that all together.

[Appl3FTW]

Originally Posted by mplayers2005

hand it into who??the cops have no record of it, at&t will not give out anyones info and want to have nothing to do with the iphone. The gay guys i bought it from we're moving and sold me the iphone they looked like te og owner. The must i'm thinking what's going on is insurance fraud, they lied to apple care that it was lost or stolen just read an online article bout this crap

lulz!!!

[LostMyiPhone]

Originally Posted by Iphull

Have you considered taking it to Verizon or Sprint? They could tell by the numbers on the phone who it belongs to. Sorry, but just because you paid for it doesn't mean it belongs to you. Someone stole my phone once and sold it for $10. So excuse me if I sound like I'm on a high horse. I'm only putting myself in the shoes of the true owner. Must suck for them right now.

Good luck with that... I made the mistake of suggesting that in a similar thread on here and got everything but death threats.

For the record, my wife had just lost her iPhone 4s (pretty sure it was stolen as it had been turned off within 15 minutes of me talking to her). Someone posted on here about how they just bought a lost/stolen phone and I suggested they take it to Vzw or wherever to help get it back to the original owner... oh man... that was not received well.

Which is odd... I don't think it's a "tough call" or "tough position" to be in at all. It's "BUYER BEWARE"... in this scenario, it's the BUYER of the LOST/STOLEN property that would (and should in my opinion) lose out. Sorry, that's just how it is. the person who rightfully paid for and owned the phone should not lose out. The person who bought a used iPhone from wherever should have done due dilligence and met at a corporate store to ensure the phone was not lost/stolen. If they bought from eBay or from a seller that was not local, well, sorry... that's not the fault of the original and rightful owner... should not have bought from a remote seller.

while it may not be applicable in this situation, it's worth mentioning that if the deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Call it a "high horse" or a "holier than thou" attitude but that's how I feel about it. You bet if I ever find an iPhone I will do everything that I can to find the original owner (even after being burned ourselves) because that's what's right to do. I will not be buying a used one from anywhere and if I did, it would be from a local seller and I would meet at a carrier corporate store to have it activated before any money exchanged hands.

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Originally Posted by mplayers2005

I'm thinking what's going on is insurance fraud, they lied to apple care that it was lost or stolen just read an online article bout this crap

AppleCare does not cover lost/stolen iPhones. Re-read that article.

[mplayers2005]

Originally Posted by sulpfiction

How exactly does being gay & moving tie into to them "looking" like the original owner? Just curious how you put that all together.

They were telling me they just got it a month ago and are looking to sell it to make some extra money on their free upgrade. They had the box they had the charge, the outlet pieces and booklets, they had the whole shabang. The imei match the one on the back of the box as well, they even seemed sad to sell it.

[sviato]

Originally Posted by mplayers2005

They were telling me they just got it a month ago and are looking to sell it to make some extra money on their free upgrade. They had the box they had the charge, the outlet pieces and booklets, they had the whole shabang. The imei match the one on the back of the box as well, they even seemed sad to sell it.

So why do you think it's stolen?


People in this thread are talking like every phone transaction should have managers, lawyers, and authorities to check, double-check, triple-check that maybe the phone was lost or stolen and there's some kind of chance we can find the original owner and be a hero! Otherwise, screw the buyer who dropped $300-500, he should incur that lost because it's clearly his fault that he got a stolen phone and all will be well if he returns it (he's only out some money, but who needs money right!). You people are ridiculous

[Supraking]

Originally Posted by Iphull

Have you considered taking it to Verizon or Sprint? They could tell by the numbers on the phone who it belongs to. Sorry, but just because you paid for it doesn't mean it belongs to you. Someone stole my phone once and sold it for $10. So excuse me if I sound like I'm on a high horse. I'm only putting myself in the shoes of the true owner. Must suck for them right now.

yeah it would be a good idea to return a phone to the original owner if you pay $300 so god doesn't send you to hell.
op, yes it will work with t-mobile. At&t and T-Mobile have a different database of stolen phones and is not shared.

[617aircav]

I'm sorry but if I bought a stolen phone I'm not returning it. As long as I was diligent in my purchase, I'm keeping it. I can't afford to incur the loss. The original owner should have been more careful. I'm not covering his loss.

[Iphull]

Originally Posted by Supraking

yeah it would be a good idea to return a phone to the original owner if you pay $300 so god doesn't send you to hell.

Who said anything about God sending anyone to hell? I've been in the position of the original owner. Yes, I laid it down and forgot to pick it back up. We are human and at times become forgetful. So it's ok to pounce on the golden opportunity every time someone forgets? This is why I speak out for the true owner. I know there are so many people who stand around like vultures, waiting for someone to screw up, then grab the spoils before they are noticed they are missing. I'm thankful there are still people like the person who returned my bank card to customer service when I dropped it.

Good thing nobody knows my name. People will follow me around with a catcher's mitt. LOL

Originally Posted by mplayers2005

Some guy just sold me a lost or stolen iPhone, just found out when I got my micro sim earlier today and tried to make a call. The iPhone is also factory unlocked , my question is can my friend use my iPhone on t-mobile network ?....

....They were telling me they just got it a month ago and are looking to sell it to make some extra money on their free upgrade. They had the box they had the charge, the outlet pieces and booklets, they had the whole shabang. The imei match the one on the back of the box as well, they even seemed sad to sell it.

??? :-)

[Supraking]

Originally Posted by Iphull

Who said anything about God sending anyone to hell? I've been in the position of the original owner. Yes, I laid it down and forgot to pick it back up. We are human and at times become forgetful. So it's ok to pounce on the golden opportunity every time someone forgets? This is why I speak out for the true owner. I know there are so many people who stand around like vultures, waiting for someone to screw up, then grab the spoils before they are noticed they are missing. I'm thankful there are still people like the person who returned my bank card to customer service when I dropped it.

Good thing nobody knows my name. People will follow me around with a catcher's mitt. LOL

??? :-)

I understand what you're saying, this would be acceptable and even something everybody should; if you find something try your best to return it to the owner. But in this case, the op didn't find the phone took it. Someone else sold him the stolen phone (as an example if op lying). This is not a $10 toy, is something that costs $200+. So i don't think the victim (the person who bough it) should be the only person who looses. if he return it, the thief keeps his money, the person who losted get his phone back, and the vicitim looses his money.

[ipad246]

How many gigs is this iphone? Did you buy it from craigslist?

[617aircav]

Me thinks the OP is the actual thief. His story does not make sense.

[abz1981]

Hell is not going to be a nice place.