Common phone scams in Pakistan and how to avoid them

01 Oct 2026 · 2 min read

Most people on VerifiedPhones are honest buyers and sellers. But scammers know that people trust a good story, so they keep coming up with new ones. Here are the tricks we see most often.

1. The advance payment trap

"Bhai, I am out of the city. Send Rs 5,000 advance on JazzCash and I will send the phone by courier." Once you pay, the number is switched off.

Rule: never pay anything before you see and test the phone in person.

2. The "army officer" or "posted abroad" seller

The seller claims to be an officer being transferred, or someone working abroad, and offers a very low price. The story is there to make you trust them quickly.

Rule: a price far below the market is the biggest warning sign of all.

3. Fake payment screenshots (for sellers)

A buyer shows a screenshot of a bank transfer or SMS and asks for the phone. The screenshot is edited, and no money ever arrives.

Rule: sellers, open your own banking app and confirm the money has actually arrived before you hand over the phone.

4. Copy phones sold as original

Very good copies of iPhones and Samsung phones look real at first glance.

Rule: check the IMEI on 8484, open Settings > About, and compare with the official model details.

5. Stolen phones

A phone sold without a box, receipt or clear reason, especially at a cheap price, may be stolen. Buying stolen property is a crime under Pakistani law, even if you did not know.

Rule: ask for the box and receipt, and meet at the seller's home area or shop if you can.

If something goes wrong

Press Report this ad on VerifiedPhones. Our team reviews every report.
Keep screenshots of chats and payment details.
Report online fraud to the cybercrime authorities and the police. Call your bank or wallet helpline at once to try to stop the payment.