Police issue public warning after teen arrested and charged over alleged counterfeit phone sales

Police are warning the community of fake phone sales after a teenager in Perth’s northeast was arrested and charged for allegedly selling counterfeit Samsung mobile phones. The 19-year-old man was taken into custody in the Ellenbrook area before being charged in relation to the sale of fake phones. There are concerns more knock-offs may already be in the community with Ellenbrook Police releasing a statement urging anyone who has recently purchased a Samsung S23 Ultra to check it for legitimacy. Police say the dupe phones appear to be genuine but it is understood they can be recognised by the identical serial number — ‘S/N: RFCW10C32VY’ — labelled on all the phoney phones and their boxes. The counterfeit phones are believed to have been purchased via an online ad or from a man selling them in the vicinity of Ellenbrook’s Brooklane Shopping Centre. They are understood to have been advertised for around $1,000 and then hand-delivered. “Anyone who has recently purchased a phone matching the description is encouraged to test the phone to ensure it works,” Ellenbrook Police said in a statement. “In the event the phone is not a genuine Samsung product the matter should be reported to police at a local police station or by calling 131 444.”