Warning Fake iPhone Handsets Being Delivered by DPD

[dvb75]

If you are waiting for a phone being delivered check your parcel immeadiately.

Today I had a new Iphone 15 Pro Max delivered this afternoon by DPD and upon opening the box and powering it up I have discovered it is a counterfeit chinese phone running android.  I've reported it and am now also stuck in limbo like the previous poster awaiting a call tomorrow from ee pending a further investigation.

At first appearance the fake looks very similar to a real iPhone (identical box, size, colour) however the camera module on the back is different and upon powering up it becomes obvious that it is running a skinned version of android made to lool like ios.

Unfortunately I had fitted the enclosed SIM card and manually logged into my apple account during the (rather convincing) setup screens o have now had to reset all my credentials just in case.  This is massively stressful.

[Gaffer4]

Same happened to me Friday. EE not dealing with it well or taking very seriously.

CS even told me it was the first time they had heard of this!

[dvb75]

Hi, I am the original poster. I did eventually get this sorted but it was three weeks of grief and stress...

After sending photos of the fake phone to ee (along with having video of the parcel being delivered in a DPD grey bag.) I was sent out a replacement handset and the fake unit collected and sent to XPO LOGISTICS who are the shipping/returns contractors.

A week later they put my account on hold with a £1400+ charge for not returning the correct phone (duh? I was returning the fake as organised by ee) and after another hour on the phone customer services who had to put a credit on my account then unlocked it.

Two days later the fake phone was returned by XPO to me with a demand to return the original handset.... Another call to ee and I returned the fake phone AGAIN to XPO with a bright yellow note taped to the box telling them to read the account notes.

Haven't heard anything again since so I presume it's sorted but I'm not holding my breath. 

[Gaffer4]

Feel your pain, shocking CS told me they had never come across this before. Clear there is a major fraud issue, likely at DPD. Really not good enough, i too wasted half a day and 3 hours of time with Tech and Apple online to be confirmed i had a fake.

[RecentRain]

Christopher G

The returns team asked me to check the IMEI on the device and box. The device's IMEI did not match the box IMEI so returns said it wasn't their issue, I couldn't return a phone they had not sent out (?!), and to generically contact 150. 150 said they had never heard of anything like this and that I should contact Supply Chain team. Eventually after sending more photos of the device i received (an obviously fake iPhone 15 Pro Max) they have sent me a returns pack, and I cancelled the upgrade. I have not however had my £200 deposit returned. 

I have 4 lines with EE, and have been with EE for 15 years plus. I cancelled my upgrade. I variously spend £200 to £600 a month with EE, and was made to feel, by 150, like I had orchestrated some fiendish plan to get an iPhone. I am disgusted with the treatment I have received. I have subsequently bought my daughter a phone directly from Apple paid upfront.

EE obviously have a serious problem with either your own supply chain team or logistics providers, judging by the comments here, and elsewhere. I suggest you investigate this pattern instead of trying to stitch up your customers as criminals.

[Katie_B]

Hi @RecentRain. 

If a return has been arranged once this has been received a refund will be processed for your upfront cost. 

Katie

[Tonyackerman]

I’m very angry and surprised this has not gone public as there is clearly a big problem and it’s being ignored 

[Tonyackerman]

Thanks for your reply but I’m not really interested in a refund etc it just needs sorting 

and on a bigger picture this needs investigation and working out who is committing this crime it’s your customers who are suffering and that’s just crappy 

really disappointed who a company such as this 

[Gaffer4]

I have now reported it to the Police, who to be fair have responded quickly.

[Gaffer4]

Agree this is bigger than they are letting on. I was also made to feel like i was making it up and they had never seen this before.

[Tonyackerman]

Happy to shear my info with you if you or the police want any information