A teacher in Mytishchi became a victim of a scam when a counterfeit iPhone was sold as the real deal for 128,000 rubles. Life reported the case, citing a Telegram channel as the source. The story underscores how easily a buyer can be misled when a seller blocks an in-person inspection before payment and then refuses a refund after the sale. Life, via its Telegram channel, confirms that the buyer did not have the chance to check the device before handing over the money and left the shop with the box sealed. It was only after reaching home and opening the package that the purchaser realized the phone was a counterfeit. The store’s stance on the refund request is described by Shot as denying the return, leaving the buyer with no recourse in the view of the consumer. The broader message from these reports is a sharp reminder of the risks involved in shopping practices that prioritize speed over verification, especially in markets where counterfeit electronics circulate near legitimate products. These reports come from media outlets that have previously documented similar fraud cases in electronics. [Life]
During the same period, Shot covered a parallel incident involving a Chinese consumer who encountered a counterfeit iPhone 14 Pro Max advertised as a used device at an alarmingly low price. A Wuhan resident reported that the seller listed a second-hand iPhone 14 Pro Max on a local electronics platform for only 1.9 thousand yuan, about 21,400 rubles at current exchange rates. The buyer proceeded to purchase and awaited delivery without questioning the unusually low price. After unboxing, the buyer found that the device was not as advertised and fell victim to fraudsters. The takeaways from this case mirror the Mytishchi episode: a bargain price can hide a counterfeit product, and a lack of due diligence at the point of sale can lead to significant losses. [Shot]
Another report highlights a separate, unrelated incident involving a student in Moscow who reportedly took antidepressants with an energy drink and later sought hospital care on exam day. While not directly tied to electronics fraud, the anecdote underscores the broader pressures and unpredictable outcomes that can accompany stressful periods such as exams. Together, these stories emphasize the need for careful personal decision-making across different contexts, from shopping protection to health and well-being during high-stress times. They show how easily trust in everyday products and routines can be shaken by misleading claims or poor judgment, and they remind readers to verify information, ask questions, and pursue refunds through legitimate channels whenever possible. [Life] [Shot]”