They sealed it with lies: how fake phones in ‘new’ boxes are ruining lives in Harare
It was supposed to be the perfect gift — brand new, boxed, sealed, and purchased from a legitimate shop in the heart of Harare. But within hours, the sleek device began to misbehave: missed calls not made by the owner, apps launching themselves, screens flickering at random. What should have been a moment of joy turned into a technological nightmare.
This isn’t just one person’s bad luck. A wave of fake and refurbished mobile phones is sweeping through Harare’s central business district, duping unsuspecting customers. At the centre of the operation is a brazen scam, complete with box-sealing machines and cunning sales pitches, leaving consumers high and dry — and often hundreds of dollars out of pocket.
“I bought a sealed phone, but it called strangers on its own”
Mrs Vanessa Chandavengerwa from Highfield remembers her disappointment vividly. Her husband gifted her a Samsung S23 on Valentine’s Day — or so they thought. She told The Herald,
“My husband bought me a Samsung S23 for US$800, but within 24 hours, the screen started flickering and became blurred,”
she said.“We rushed back to the shop. They refused to refund us and instead gave me another sealed box. Two days later, I realised I had been sold another dud – the phone was slow and the touch screen was malfunctioning.”
It took legal intervention from her sister, a lawyer, for the shop to finally issue a refund.
“She wrote a strongly worded letter demanding a refund, and surprisingly, the seller backed down. I got an Ecocash notification — my refund had been processed.”
But not everyone is as lucky or as connected.
Refurbished phones disguised as new
These aren’t small-time scams happening in alleyways. According to The Herald, the fraud is deeply entrenched within legitimate-looking electronics shops — especially at Gulf Complex, Zimpost Mall, and Century Mall.
One disgruntled customer who bought a Redmi 13C for US$120 recounted her ordeal:
“It auto-dials random numbers, the screen turns on by itself, and it switches mobile data on and off,”
she said.“When I went back to complain, they took my phone, peeled off my screen protector and phone cover, sealed it in a new box, and put it back on display. That’s when I realised — they had done the same to me.”
Her experience reflects a trend — customers unknowingly buying refurbished phones disguised as brand new. An ex-employee from one Gulf Complex shop revealed that workers had access to box-sealing machines specifically to make second-hand or defective phones appear fresh from the manufacturer.
“We would import empty boxes for different brands and fill them with refurbished devices. If a customer got a phone with missed calls or messages, it meant someone was getting fired — we were supposed to wipe the devices clean before sealing them,”
he said.
Authorities say crackdown is coming
While many customers have been quietly suffering in silence, the issue is finally gaining attention.
Commissioner Paul Nyathi, national police spokesperson, told The Herald:
“We haven’t received such reports, but given our ongoing crackdown on counterfeit products, we will investigate these claims and collaborate with relevant departments. If any criminal activity is uncovered, the law will take its course.”
The Consumer Protection Commission is also stepping in. Chairperson Mrs Respina Zinyanduko confirmed the Commission had received numerous complaints and was actively investigating.
“Some of the cell phones are imitations or original brands hence have similar but fake specifications. In the past, we encouraged refunds or exchanges, but in future, these will become criminal cases,”
she warned.
She encouraged affected consumers to report their cases using the hotline numbers +263 719 176 856/861/865.
A 2020 audit by the former Auditor General Mildred Chiri had already flagged the growing problem, stating:
“Most mobile phones and accessories such as chargers and batteries being sold in the country were either counterfeit or sub-standard. Dealers use split consignment techniques to evade authorities at border posts.”
It seems little has changed — and in many ways, the problem has only deepened.
Despite the glossy packaging and well-lit displays, what you see isn’t always what you get. The shocking revelation that electronics dealers are using machines to reseal and repackage defective phones as new has upended the trust consumers place in seemingly reputable stores.
As authorities investigate and victims come forward, the question remains: how many more ‘sealed’ boxes will continue to hide secrets inside?
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The post Exposed: How Fake Phones In Sealed Boxes Are Fooling Zimbabweans appeared first on iHarare News.
