$350 for an iPhone?

[peppaz]

My friend is selling iPhones, 15 to be exact, for $350 a piece. I AM NOT here to help him sell them. I have a question. I would like to buy one, but I wanted to make sure there is no way to use this with my current provider, T-Mobile. I know the iPhones use SIM cards but I am uncertain if there is a way to unlock them yet. Also, I know IMEI numbers are traceable, so I am wary to activate one on my own plan, or even start a new plan with AT&T.

I also know there is a SS# "hack" where you can do a pre-paid thing with AT&T, so that might be another option. I just want everyone's opinion on what to do. P.S. I am not certain if the IMEI #s are definitely "dirty", but I would assume the methods he used to acquire these were none too kosher. Thanks and sorry if this is abuse in any way.

 

[mabigwiz]

I wouldn't buy any phone that is hot. And don't tell me they are not - its the only way anyone would sell 1 for that price.

 

[peppaz]

yes but

Whats the worst that could happen? they take it from me? possession of stolen property i guess. If you got it as a gift how would you know any better you know? oh well. im just trying to keep the saliva in my mouth over a $350 iPhone without a contract. they cant be useless though, you know? gotta be able to do SOMETHING with them, maybe if i talk him down to 200 i can use it as an 8gb video ipod haha

I wouldn't buy any phone that is hot. And don't tell me they are not - its the only way anyone would sell 1 for that price.

 

[spacerog]

I just want everyone's opinion on what to do.

If the IMEI's are 'dirty' as you say then my advice is to not buy one.

Worst case scenario you end up going to jail for his crime. Or at the very least they take your $350 iPhone away from you.

And no, it willl not work on T-Mobile.

- SR

P.S. This guy doesn't sound like a very god friend to have. Don't mean to pass judgment but you asked for opinions.

 

[peppaz]

more of an acquaintance really. anyhow, say for example they were taken by a delivery guy before they got to the store. those imei #s are already logged by Apple an AT&T im assuming, right? so theres no way to get around them i guess. However, i thought IMEI #s were only put into a databank after someone activated and registered the phone, am i wrong to assume that?

 

[alb0zf1n3st]

I say its Hot and I wouldn't touch it..

 

[ATT*Mark]

the least that will happen is that you will be out 350.... but imei's are tracked , as soon as they were stolen they went into AT&T's database and are flagged so the second you activate it with your billing address the cops will be knocking on your door. trust me I'm an AT&T employee..... you will spend the night in jail until they figure out what to do with you.

the phones tracking number is the imei . so when they leave the shipping facility from Apple they are scanned and logged as leaving the store , if the receiving end didn't get the shipment or were missing even 1 out of that shipment it would immediately be flagged. whether it was lost and somebody picked it up , or if it was deleberately stolen. the system knows that, that phone wasn't sold through the proper channel and the person activating it is doing so illegaly , whether you found it or took it at gunpoint. so if at the time you activate they can prove that imei was stolen you are going to jail , hands down.

 

[mabigwiz]

They won't block it, they will let it activate and trace it to you. Cellphones are one of the least things you can get away with theft. They know the numbers are stolen, they just look for them to come up on their system and then boom - they have yoru information that you gave during activattion and if they are really pushing they can know your exact location and just pick you up.

I see no way for you to pull this off. Only thing I can see you do is buy it and resell it for $400-$450

 

[alb0zf1n3st]

I wouldn't waste my time on it... phone companies arent dumb anymore its like a red flag when you try to activate it ..

 

[peppaz]

thanks. I just want to clarify, I'm not stupid, but it's very hard to pass up on a deal like this. Obviously the risks outweigh the savings so Im not gonna go for it, i just wanted to double check. Thanks again for your time!

 

[alb0zf1n3st]

no problem, no1 here wants to see anyone dish out a lot of money and get screwed.

 

[fredthedog]

as for the SS# "HAck" .... I believe that if you just enter SSN 999-99-9999 it will come back with a bad credit check and then give you the option of the more expensive pay as you go plan. I recall this from the first few days after release.

 

[Iceblinkluck]

as for the SS# "HAck" .... I believe that if you just enter SSN 999-99-9999 it will come back with a bad credit check and then give you the option of the more expensive pay as you go plan. I recall this from the first few days after release.

What if you unlock it and activate it on t mobile? Do the networks talk to each other as far as stolen imem numbers?

 

[three_green]

Jeez , is this becoming a "how to steal an iPhone" forum. This is the second thread on page 1 asking for advice on how to avoid detection of a stolen iPhone.

 

[OJsakila]

What if you unlock it and activate it on t mobile? Do the networks talk to each other as far as stolen imem numbers?

Jesus dude. If you can't restrain yourself from criminal behavior over $150 you are one sad sap. Why are you even posting? You don' t even own an iPhone.

 

[GQmacguy]

I'm just LOL'ing at the OP... I always love the "friend of a friend's friend" or "just an acquaintance who knows a guy" stories. Someone was just using us as a forum to see if it was worth jacking a shipment and reselling it; if it would move or not...

Sad.

 

[peppaz]

Cool Down

I understand no one here is a fan of criminal activities. Mac fans have more class than that. I was merely looking for some information to see if a guy (me) could catch a break. Obviously saving a few bucks is not worth the legal repercussions that would quite possibly occcur. And if there's a question to be answered about the iPhone, what better place to ask than this forum. So thanks for your input everyone.

I'm just LOL'ing at the OP... I always love the "friend of a friend's friend" or "just an acquaintance who knows a guy" stories. Someone was just using us as a forum to see if it was worth jacking a shipment and reselling it; if it would move or not...

Sad.

 

[jjvaldez]

don't do it.. not worth it...