From Panic to Resolution: My Rollercoaster Experience with a Stolen S23 Ultra Phone

Purchasing a new phone is usually an exciting experience, but my journey took an unexpected twist just two months after acquiring what I believed was a perfectly functioning Samsung S23 Ultra. As I returned home from work, a notification appeared on my screen that sent my heart racing: “This device has been reported as lost or stolen and must be returned to Amazon.”

The screen displayed a passkey and an IMEI number, along with instructions to call a specific number. Naturally, my initial reaction was one of panic and confusion. I quickly turned to Google and found a discussion rife with similar stories of people encountering fraudulent scams related to second-hand phones, often connecting to unsavory characters via poorly spoken English from overseas call centers.

Feeling increasingly anxious, I held off on contacting the provided number. I had invested $800 in this device just a couple of months earlier, and I feared the worst: had I inadvertently purchased a stolen phone?

In hopes of finding clarity, I reached out to the seller, attaching a photo of the troubling screen. Surprisingly, he responded promptly, suggesting that he wished to speak directly to me about the matter. During our conversation, he expressed uncertainty about the situation but offered to either replace the phone or refund my money. His sincerity left me torn between skepticism and a glimmer of hope.

As I attempted to regain control of the device, I discovered I was locked out by the persistent pop-up message. Even after performing a factory reset, the issue resurfaced, leaving me trapped in a loop of initial setup screens and the same alarming notification.

In a twist of fate, the seller called me again, saying he had consulted a tech-savvy friend. He assured me he could provide a replacement. Shortly after, we met; he handed me a new S23 Ultra, stating it was in even better condition than the first. However, my concerns lingered. I made it clear that if the same issue arose again, I would prefer a full refund.

To my astonishment, shortly after departing, he called me again, this time to offer a refund—even before I had a chance to see if the new phone experienced the same issues. I met him once more, and he honored his promise, returning the full amount plus a little extra for my trouble.

While his explanations about where he sources the devices remained somewhat murky, I found reassurance in his accountability and willingness to