University Student Paid N321k For iPhone X Gets Box Filled With Concrete Instead

A young student has cried out after he paid N321,000 for an iPhone X from an online store and got a box filled with concrete instead.

A Newcastle University student identified simply as Omar, who thought he had found a good bargain when he discovered a new iPhone X for sale online priced at £650 (N321,000), has just discovered that he has become the victim of a fraudster who used concrete putty to make the empty box feel heavy.

According to Dailymail UK, Omar who used the boot sale app, Shpock, had arranged for the phone to be brought to his accommodation in central Newcastle on April 3 by a man called ‘Jamie A’, and when he paid £650 cash, Jamie A wrote out a receipt with an address in Sunderland.

While speaking to a correspondent, Omar said: ‘Once I gave him the money he kind of almost ran away. It was actually a present for my mum, that’s why I didn’t open it on the spot, I wanted to give it to her sealed.’

The Shpock account used by ‘Jamie A’ had a profile picture featuring two children as Omar, only realised what had happened once the scammer had driven off.

Omar said: ‘Once I got back to my room I opened it and I soon realised it was a scam. The concrete he used matches the weight of the actual iPhone X. I have quite a lot of Apple products and I have held the box, I know what it weighs and it’s very similar.

‘I had to pay my rent a week or two later so I struggled with that. I was not cautious enough and feel quite stupid about what I did.’

Omar, who is originally from London, believes the criminal is still operating on Shpock and has warned others to take care buying phones online.
Omar added: ‘£650 is quite a lot of money for a student or for anyone. I hope the person gets caught.’