Buying my stolen goods on ebay????

Money_Saving_Mandy_2

Hello

I have reason to believe my stolen phone is listed on ebay, I am considering buying it to check the IMEI number (to prove its mine) and then what I want an answer to is if I buy via Paypal can I claim to get my money back ???????????????

As it would be in fact MY PROPERTY and I loathe to give this thief money for my own item, even if it means I can then get them prosecuted.

What are people's thoughts????

Astec

If you know the IMEI, ring your old network and get it blocked. Then whoever buys it will report it as stolen and do a chargeback.

You could buy it, but if it turns out it's not yours you'll still have to pay for it.

Chippy_Minton_2

Give us some more to go on. What makes you think it's yours?

soolin

Like Astec says why haven't you blocked the phone anyway if you have the IMEI?

Bowling_4_Gold

What will you look like when the police turn up to your door and you say, "Here is the stolen phone, look at the IMEI number, I have the box with the SAME number on to prove it is stolen! Please get my money back...". For all they know, you are hiding the phone you bought on eBay in your attic and are heavliy involved in some evil IMEI scam...

Awec

Bowling_4_Gold wrote: »

What will you look like when the police turn up to your door and you say, "Here is the stolen phone, look at the IMEI number, I have the box with the SAME number on to prove it is stolen! Please get my money back...". For all they know, you are hiding the phone you bought on eBay in your attic and are heavliy involved in some evil IMEI scam...

I think that's a bit far fetched to be fair.

The Police are not stupid.

veronarona

You could try ASQing the seller for the IMEI number :rolleyes:

If by some freaky chance they actually tell you, and it's yours, then you use the Report button on the listing to tell eBay it's stolen.

Long shot, I know.

veronarona

burcrita1

http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/crime-victims/reducing-crime/robbery/stolen-mobiles-dont-work/

http://www.checkmend.com/us/

http://www.immobilise.com/

asking IMEI number is perfectly ok.I have done it in the past.
First,Report your phone immediately.

motorguy

Money_Saving_Mandy wrote: »

Hello

I have reason to believe my stolen phone is listed on ebay, I am considering buying it to check the IMEI number (to prove its mine) and then what I want an answer to is if I buy via Paypal can I claim to get my money back ???????????????

As it would be in fact MY PROPERTY and I loathe to give this thief money for my own item, even if it means I can then get them prosecuted.

What are people's thoughts????

Why havent you had the phone blocked already if you know the IMEI?

Why would you pay the thief / someone who deals in stolen goods good money to buy your own phone back and THEN have the uphill struggle with paypal of trying to prove it was yours in the first place and getting them to refund in your favour??

Bowling_4_Gold

Awec wrote: »

I think that's a bit far fetched to be fair.

The Police are not stupid.

I never said they were, did I? Seeing as my brother is a coppa' I hope I didn't!

I just meant like I could ring the police up now and say my phones been nicked but I bought it back off eBay and have it with me now, along with the box which has the IMEI number on it. I don't think they would belive me!

Money_Saving_Mandy_2

Hi all, the phone was lost / stolen on Sunday at carboot, I barred sim and blocked IMEI within 15mins.

On sunday evening an ebay seller listed a samsung u900, he lives local enough to of gone to the car boot, phone described as poor condition (i'd dropped it loads), its midnight black version like mine, I emailed as a potential buyer asking for more pics to see damage (as Im sure I'd recognise scuffs etc), he's ignored me. Emailed again, stating interest in two of his phones to try and divert attention off that "my" one and as I work where he lives if I won one/or both of phones could I pick up to save on P&P. Still no reply - a real seller I'm sure would of. Think he may of sussed me being onto him. Listing is now private (all other feedback's usernames are visable so he doesnt normally do that).

I am considering buying the phone to then be able to check the IMEI (as that proves its MY phone) and then I can get the police involved and prosecute him for theft.......but Im trying to get paypal to confirm I would get my money back if it turned out to be mine!!!!! Listing ends Sunday, so not sure what to do or not

If it wasnt mine, then yes I'm willing to have the phone as a replacement etc.

I reported the loss/theft to police on Monday and mentioned suscipious ebay phone to them, they they are informed, but until I can identify it as mine (more pics and I might have been able to) then they cant do a lot as its all coincidental at the mo. hence if I buy, it is mine, then they can get sellers details from ebay and prosecute.

I have a real strong feeling its mine!