A UK customer who ordered an iPhone 15 Pro Max from Apple’s official website was shocked to receive a fake Android phone instead. The fake phone had a screen protector installed, a chin at the bottom, and an iOS-like skin on top of the Android operating system.
The customer shared their experience on Reddit, where they posted pictures and videos of the fake iPhone 15 Pro Max. They said they received all the delivery confirmation emails from Apple and tracking details from the delivery partner, Dynamic Parcel Distribution (DPD). However, when they opened the box, they immediately noticed something was wrong.
“The next thing I notice when I turn it on, the screen isn’t right, it lights up the black area in a way that is clearly not OLED, and the bottom has a chin, which suggests this is not correct for the phone,” the customer wrote.
They also realized that the phone was not running iOS, but a poorly designed Android skin that mimicked the appearance of iOS. The phone had pre-installed apps like TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube, which are not part of the default iOS apps. The customer also noticed that the phone had Android toasts popping up in some cases.
What did the customer do next?
The customer contacted Apple support right away and explained the situation. They said they were promised a call back from Apple within 24 hours. They also contacted DPD and asked them to investigate the delivery process. They suspected that someone might have tampered with the package and swapped the real iPhone 15 Pro Max with a fake one.
The customer also advised other iPhone buyers to be careful and inspect their packages thoroughly before signing off on shipments. They said they were lucky that they did not log in with their Apple ID or set up Apple Wallet on the fake phone, as that could have compromised their personal and financial information.
How to spot a fake iPhone 15 Pro Max?
The iPhone 15 Pro Max is one of the most popular and expensive smartphones in the market, and it is not surprising that scammers would try to take advantage of unsuspecting customers. However, there are some ways to spot a fake iPhone 15 Pro Max from a real one.
- The iPhone 15 Pro Max has a 6.7-inch OLED display that covers the entire front of the phone, with no chin or bezels. The fake phone had a smaller LCD display with a noticeable chin at the bottom.
- The iPhone 15 Pro Max has a notch at the top of the screen that houses the Face ID sensors and the selfie camera. The fake phone had a hole-punch cutout for the selfie camera, which is a common feature of Android phones.
- The iPhone 15 Pro Max has a stainless steel frame and a glass back, with a matte finish and a magnetic ring for MagSafe accessories. The fake phone had a plastic frame and a glossy back, with no magnetic ring.
- The iPhone 15 Pro Max has a triple-camera system on the back, with a telephoto lens, a wide-angle lens, and an ultra-wide-angle lens. The fake phone had a quad-camera system, with an extra lens that was probably fake.
- The iPhone 15 Pro Max runs on iOS 15, which has a distinctive look and feel, with smooth animations, widgets, app library, and control center. The fake phone ran on Android, which had a different user interface, app icons, and settings.
How to avoid iPhone scams?
The best way to avoid iPhone scams is to buy the phone directly from Apple or an authorized reseller. However, even then, customers should be vigilant and check the package and the phone carefully before accepting the delivery. Customers should also avoid buying iPhones from unknown or untrusted sources, such as online marketplaces, social media, or street vendors.
If customers suspect that they have received a fake iPhone, they should contact Apple support immediately and report the incident. They should also refrain from using the fake phone or entering any personal or financial information on it. Customers should also keep the receipt and the packaging as evidence and ask for a refund or a replacement from the seller.
