Bluffmaster

Category: Crime | No Comments | Posted on January 28, 2006

Times of India reports that the Bandra police arrested two persons who, under the pretext of selling mobile phones, cheated citizens by selling them soaps inside the phone cartons.

Ibrahim Shafi Khan (24) and Sarfaraz Yunus Khan (22) would stand outside Manish market at CST and sell expensive camera-phones at cheap rates.

They would brandish a phone, bargain with a customer, eventually parting with a “packed” phone. The carton would contain washing soap cut exactly to look like a mobile phone. The buyer would realise his folly only after reaching home and opening the carton.

I fail to understand why the customers didn’t open the box on the spot to check if the phones actually worked or not. If a deal is too good to be true – make sure you cover your downside well.

The Indian consumer is not paying high for mobile handsets even if the purchase is on a tax paid bill. It does not make sense to buy a handset from the grey market anymore. The little difference in price is not worth the hassle that comes free with it. There are many ways to get cheated – old phone in a new body, duplicate battery, locally-made charger etc.

Be fair to everyone – buy legitimately.

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