An investigation into fake AirPods being sold on Facebook Marketplace led police to a Burnaby home last month.
Burnaby RCMP got the first complaint on Jan. 14, according to a news release Wednesday.
A buyer had met the seller in a Burnaby parking lot and bought a pair of packaged AirPods for $180, transferring money to the seller online, according to the release.
“The buyer even received what appeared to be a valid sales receipt,” the release said.
It wasn’t until the buyer went to the Apple Store sometime later that they learned the wireless ear buds and receipt were fakes.
Another victim called police on Jan. 17.
That buyer had paid the seller $190 five days earlier after finding a listing on Facebook Marketplace.
The second victim was also provided a phony receipt.
An investigation turned up a suspect, a 22-year-old man, and a search warrant executed on his Burnaby home turned up 40 boxes of suspected counterfeit AirPods, according to police.
The man was arrested and now faces charges of fraud.
"These counterfeit AirPods were very convincing at first glance, with packaging and headphones that look authentic,” Burnaby RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Mike Kalanj said in the release. “In addition, the seller also provided receipts that appeared to be legitimate to the victims. We urge everyone to use caution when making purchases through online marketplaces. In this case, the AirPods were selling for well-under the market value, a possible indicator that the listing was too good to be true.”
The counterfeit AirPods and packaging were convincing, according to police, but some differences could help potential victims identify the fakes.
- The counterfeit boxes appear slightly poorer in quality than the authentic
- The counterfeit boxes lack the shine and feel of genuine Apple AirPod boxes
- The image on the back of the counterfeit boxes appears to be a sticker as opposed to a printed image
- While the serial number on the counterfeit boxes and receipts matched, they were not accepted on Apple’s website
“We want the public to be aware of this scam and to take a look at these photos so they can see just how convincing counterfeits can be,” Kalanj added.
Burnaby RCMP is urging any other buyers who may have been victimized to come forward.
Call Burnaby RCMP at 604-646-9999 and quote file number 2022-1912.
Follow Cornelia Naylor on Twitter @CorNaylor
Email [email protected]
