iPhone deal ends in escape: buyer steals expensive cell phone right in front of the door!

iPhone deal ends in escape: buyer steals expensive cell phone right in front of the door!

Scams are not uncommon in the colorful world of online trading, but a recent incident in Vienna went far beyond the bounds of decency. Reader reporter Florian competed on Tuesday with the aim of selling an iPhone 16 Pro Max in the color “desert sand”. The price of 1,050 euros seemed tempting, and an interested party quickly came forward, offering 1,000 euros and coming to pick it up. What happened next could not have been imagined. Florian remembered the buyer, who appeared wearing a black Lacoste T-shirt and a bucket hat.

An accident occurred right on Florian's doorstep. While the interested party wanted to match the serial number of the cell phone, he took the opportunity to escape and grabbed the iPhone. “We recorded everything on video,” says Florian, still recovering from the shock. The accident began at a front door monitored by cameras, and Florian's wife tried to chase the thief and reach him by phone, while Florian also rushed to catch up with the thief. According to reports, the perpetrator was not alone, but was probably waiting with a group of young people. The couple is planning to file a complaint and is hoping for information from the public.

A scam that is making waves

But the iPhone drama is just the tip of the iceberg. There's a lot of buzz on online platforms like Willhaben. As Kosmo reports, a massive wave of fraud has been uncovered, affecting many users from Austria. Invisible ads for new Apple products at tempting prices have trapped thousands. Financial losses of over 15,000 euros add up, while many lose not only their money, but also their patience and their faith in online trading.

A particularly exemplary case is that of a buyer who transferred 550 euros for an iPhone and then never received the goods. The saleswoman, a 25-year-old mother of four, said she was in the hospital because she was about to give birth. These are just a few moving stories from the_REPORT of the affected buyers. How many times have we paid for our good hand at online business with a painful setback?

Be on guard

But what should you do if you have fallen victim to such a scam? The consumer advice center offers useful information and advice on how to act in such situations. The advice not only relates to legal questions, but also to financial issues, and is provided via paid 0900 numbers. “We advise only using such calls if it is really necessary,” explains an employee at the consumer advice center. The prices only appear on the telephone bill four weeks later, which often leads to an unpleasant surprise.

In the rising world of the Internet, caution is advised. “Anyone who buys online should be well informed and remain skeptical,” recommends the consumer protection organization. With the current scams reaching Austria, it is more important than ever to act well-informed and cautiously.

Be careful - the next bargain could be the start of an unpleasant adventure. Stay alert!