I looked down at the receipt, and it indeed said “November 2020.” What I missed in my glance at this paper was it also said “Return Date.” My feeling at the moment was that November of last year was odd. “I was going to ask you when you bought it,” I said while looking at the paper and back at Christian, appearing to smile on the mask. The name on the accurate-looking Apple receipt is “Shane Benard.” I ask Christian if this is his real name he says yes somewhat hesitantly and that his uncle purchased the Watch for him as a gift. I noticed the paper was on thicker stock than usual, though it did not make me hesitate I know receipts are printable at home. He hands this to me mid-stride, anticipating my first move. The first thing Christian grabs from his grocery bag is a receipt. Christian’s presentation as non-threatening is crucial to the success of this ruse. On arrival, Christian asks how I am, and he seemed to want to know genuinely. His speech patterns were smooth and confident. His easy-going nature helped to sell innocence. The dark button-up shirt and khakis made me think he was well-off. Standing 5’8″, Christian is a black man dressed as an office worker. His slender build appeared frail his walk, confident. Yet, I continued to ignore them at my peril.Ĭhristian arrived 10 minutes later with a basic mask on with the Watch in a cream-coloured grocery bag.
The mishap with pricing, the green messages, and now obviously not living in the building. It’s a slight touch, but when he did arrive, I saw that he was walking up the street – and not out of the apartment complex in front of me. Efforts to ensure this clone watch looked real appeared very elaborate.Ĭhristian also mentioned he’d “be right down in 2 minutes” as if to indicate again that he lived in the building above the bank. I noted in hindsight that this could have been a red flag – or at least a sign I should have been more concerned about. Given the product on sale was Apple, it seemed odd that Christian might not have an iPhone. This usually indicates that the sender has a service turned off or isn’t using an iPhone. I’m just finishing with a client.” I noted his texts were green-tinted on my phone.
Christian offered a number (64), and we communicated that way from then on. It helps to gauge whether the person is legitimate and willing to expose themselves a little more. Given the sophistication of the fraudsters and the high price of these items, it’s now more important than ever to question things or buy directly from Apple.Īs another means of protection, I generally request a phone number to call or text. Comparable products on Kijiji range from a slightly damaged $400 to $550 or more for a new product. His newly wrapped Apple Watch is top-of-the-line and includes health monitoring features and a mobile connection so users can make calls without an iPhone. The Watch Christian was selling retails for $699.00 at the Apple Store. I, however, accepted it and planned to get to the meeting. People tend to focus closely on things of value and would not have given up ten dollars like that. It should have been one of many red flags, but I ignored it. In return, Christian says, “I can do 420 todaybi (sic) apologize.” This response was somewhat unorthodox, given I’d already offered more money. When negotiating, Christian offered $440.00 twice and, when I offered $430.00, he went radio-silent for an hour. Christian connoted multiple times that he lived at this location. Being as careful as possible, I checked the location on Google Maps Street view – it was a bank with second-floor apartments. I made an overture to meet the Kijiji user calling himself “Christian.” It’s common for users on Kijiji to use aliases, and Christian’s response was to offer an address in the community. As someone living and working in technology for more than two decades, none of this is intimidating. To say I’m “seasoned” in this environment is no understatement. One seller tried to pass off a stolen Macbook laptop, and with a bit of in-the-moment sleuthing, I caught it and walked away. I investigated this phenomenon while ending up with two excellent duplicates, $420.00 poorer and in a confrontation with a scammer.Īs a longtime Kijiji user, I’ve seen all sorts of problematic sales. The practice of selling clone Apple Watches is common, but the work made to present this product as new and legitimate is unique. This Watch was posted as new and sealed in the box for $450.00, a price I haggled down to $420.00.
#Check apple serial number legit series
Using Kijiji – an online marketplace considered a ‘grey market’ for new and used physical items – I bought a brand new Apple Watch Series 6. Can you spot a fake? This week I learned the hard way how difficult this is.