Phone stolen... person who has it wants to return.. whats the scam?

sartois

Hi,

About a month ago I had my phone stolen from a bar in London. I know it was stolen as the minute I realised it was gone and tried to ring it, it was switched off.

Since it's an iPhone I put it into lost mode, wiped it etc and sent a message through to it saying it was lost etc. Did all the normal things like reported it to the police and got a replacement via the insurance.

I had a phonecall last week from a guy who claims he has my stolen phone (he says a 'friend' left it round his house and he has just got round to ringing me). He now wants to meet me to return it. I have agreed as he suggested a shopping center but I am wondering if this is wise. If I want to use it that means getting it unlocked, notifying the police and the insurance company, and they will want their money back for the replacement I bought and I will end up out of pocket.

I don't get it... what's the point? I guess he is unable to get past the iphone security which means he cannot sell it... He doesn't sound like your average good Samaritan either as he was always calling from blocked numbers etc (except today now I have his number). He seems somewhat determined to meet me though and return my phone to me.

Any ideas on what the scam is?

busiscoming2

No idea, but it rings alarm bells for me.

Why has he rung more than once? If you blocked the phone, how does he know the number?

I'd contact the Police that dealt with the original theft and see what they say. They, at least, may be aware of any scam or use the 'meet' to grab the offender?

sartois

Thanks. He knows the number as when you put the phone in lost/stolen mode you can get the phone to display a number to contact if someone finds it.

Yes I am contemplating ringing the Police... the only thing I can think of is that he wants to sell the phone back to me. Bizarre really. Not sure why he has rung more than once but the only people that do that (that I do not know) are people who want something... and not the other way around.

By the way, now I have his number thanks to the power of Google I also have a name, although it's not the same as he calls himself. He apparently goes by the name of 'Seedy'... how's that for alarm bells?!

Ms_Chocaholic

Ask him to meet you at a police station to hand it over

chrisw

It's obviously no good to him so I suspect he might be wanting to return it to you for a 'finders fee' for his next fix.

sartois

Ms_Chocaholic wrote: »

Ask him to meet you at a police station to hand it over

Somehow I think I might be waiting a while if I suggested that

I don't even know why I agreed to meet him yet.. curiosity I think more than anything. Nothing good can come of getting that phone back as I will have to tell the insurance company. Since they paid out in cash rather than giving me a replacement phone, I expect they will want the money back rather than the (no longer shiny and new) phone that I bought to replace the stolen one.

busiscoming2

As you are curious, you could just go and spy on him, so you know what he looks like and not actually meet him. After all from the sound of it, getting your phone back will just cause problems for you.

[Deleted User]

Hi,

mmm, his 'friend' left it at his house.

So did he just forget it and not go back for it or say 'here, see what you can get for that?

tiger_eyes

Is it possible he knows your address, perhaps from your phone number? I've heard of houses being burgled when the occupant is lured away this way. Will your home be empty if you go to meet him?

ess0two

Its useless in its present state,as your not out of pocket I'd decline meeting / taking it back.

Silk

Strictly speaking as the insurance company has paid you for the phone it should be returned to them when recovered.