Probably fake AirPods have flooded the online re-commerce platform Vinted.
The presence of convincing replicas since the pre-loved clothes app expanded into electronics has damaged trust between buyers and sellers.
Scammers have zoned in on the platform, listing convincing clones that can be printed with real serial numbers.
Reddit user “itchy_bum_bug” said: “I just saw 10 of these in the last 2 days.
“Vinted seems to take swift action and removes these listings and suspends the users, but I think they will need to be more proactive.”
A prospective buyer is lured in by bargain prices like £35 for a brand-new pair in a sealed box – new AirPods cost £129 or more on Apple’s online UK store.
Even cautious users can be duped – copying and pasting serial numbers of dozens of these fake pairs into Apple’s “Check Coverage” site will often show a real pair.
Packing and product can be printed with real serial numbers to make it even harder for buyers to tell the difference.
But you can check yours by comparing the serial numbers on the product with the ones shown in the “Settings” app.
Many fake sellers have five-star ratings, usually for other items such as clothes.
With Vinted’s Buyer Protection Scheme, all buyers have two days to report issues with the “Seems counterfeit” option.
Some buyers in the US knowingly opt for fakes, even discussing the variability of features on replica models.
There is a Subreddit – r/AirReps – devoted to the art of the replica AirPod.
Authored by a user named “TowyTowy”, the thread features a range of tips – for instance, the microphone quality in many fake AirPod 2 models is as good as an original AirPod.
Vinted declined to comment.
The app began as a vintage market for enterprising users to resell clothes but has expanded to include categories like Electronics, Entertainment and Pet Care.
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