Manchester woman issues warning after she was tricked out of £900 in Facebook iPhone scam

A woman has claimed to have been duped out of £900 when trying to sell her iPhone over Facebook.

Claire Bray, from Manchester, advertised a brand new iPhone 12 pro max for sale on the social media platform, and was contacted by a man who said he was interested in purchasing the device.

She arranged for him to pick up the phone from her home in Blackley on Tuesday, August 3rd, having agreed on a price of £900 for it.

@sci_fi_superfly / Unsplash

As organised, the man turned up to her house with a friend and came in to have a look at the phone. Claire claims she was handed an envelope containing £900 cash, which she counted out herself.

However, when the man and his friend left with the phone, she noticed that the envelope suddenly contained just one £10 note and sheets of paper, bringing her to the conclusion that it had been swapped. 

Speaking to the Manchester Evening News, Claire explained: “On Tuesday night at 6pm they came to collect the phone. I have a doorbell which connects to my phone so I have a screenshot of what they look like.

“There were two men and they came into the house. I felt comfortable with them and my friend was in too so I thought I’d rather them come inside. They handed me an envelope with money in it.”

Claire Louise Bray / Facebook

Claire is adamant that she thoroughly checked the original envelope, and counted out £900. She continued: “In the space of me putting the envelope on the armchair and me showing them out of the house they have obviously swapped the envelope.

“I tried to run after them but they were long gone. They gave me a mobile number which now doesn’t work and he’s blocked me on Facebook.”

The incident has now been reported to Greater Manchester Police, who have since confirmed that no arrests have been made but enquiries are still ongoing.