Bought a Used Phone and It Got Blocked Later? Here’s Why.
If your used phone suddenly says “Network Blocked” a few days after purchase, you may have fallen into an IMEI timing scam — the hidden risk of second-hand phones in New Zealand.
Many phones look fine when you buy them — IMEI shows “clean”. Then, days later, the network blocks them.
The seller likely filed an insurance or police report after the sale. Once that claim is processed, your phone’s IMEI enters the blacklist.
No carrier or Apple support can unlock a blacklisted IMEI.
Before you buy: verify the IMEI twice, keep a copy of the receipt and ID, and re-check it after 7–14 days.
What to check before buying a used phone
- IMEI number: verify it at imei24.com or imeicheck.com.
- Receipt & ID: ask for the original proof of purchase. Names, dates, and IMEI must match.
- Carrier lock: iPhone → Settings → General → About → “No SIM restrictions”.
- Parts authenticity: Face ID, True Tone, or colour tint differences may signal non-OEM screens.
- Water damage: check SIM tray for red moisture indicator.
- Battery health: on iPhone, check Settings → Battery → Battery Health.
- Re-check IMEI: repeat after 7–14 days — scammers often delay their claim.
“Selling for a friend” or “lost the receipt” — both are major red flags.
Why phones get blacklisted after you buy them
- The seller claims the device as lost or stolen to collect insurance money.
- Insurance company adds the IMEI to the shared NZ blacklist (Spark, One NZ, 2degrees).
- All carriers block the device. Wi-Fi may still work, but calls, texts, and data stop entirely.
- Apple’s Activation Lock and Android’s FRP Lock can also appear if linked accounts remain active.
- Ownership transfers to the insurer once a claim is paid — even if you have a receipt.
It’s known as the IMEI timing scam because the block happens after the sale — when it’s too late to detect through normal checks.
If it happens — what to do next
1
Contact your carrier
(Spark, One NZ, 2degrees)
(Spark, One NZ, 2degrees)
- Provide proof of purchase, chat records, and payment reference.
- Ask them to confirm the blacklist reason — insurance, theft, or error.
- If it’s a false report, carriers can occasionally reverse it (rare).
In 99% of cases, once the IMEI is blacklisted, it remains permanent.
2
Report to police
(fraud case)
(fraud case)
- File an online report with your local police station.
- Attach screenshots of seller’s profile, messages, and bank transfer.
- Mark it as “fraudulent sale of a stolen device”.
This protects your record and can help trace repeated offenders.
3
Contact the insurance company
(if known)
(if known)
- Provide IMEI, purchase date, and your contact details.
- Ask if the device was claimed under insurance.
- In rare cases, they may accept a return for partial refund or closure.
The insurer owns the phone once the payout is made. Returning it may end further issues.
4
Reuse as Wi-Fi-only device
(if Activation Lock is clear)
(if Activation Lock is clear)
- Remove SIM and use for Wi-Fi streaming, photos, or kids’ device.
- Reset to factory settings only if you can access iCloud or Google account.
- Label it clearly as “Wi-Fi only” to avoid resale problems.
Realistic expectations
- Once the IMEI is blacklisted, no repair shop, carrier, or Apple can unlock it.
- The blacklist is shared across New Zealand carriers and even visible internationally.
- Having a receipt doesn’t restore ownership — the insurer legally owns it after payout.
- Always re-check IMEI after purchase. Scammers often wait a few days to claim.
What we tell customers
“If you’re buying a used phone, always verify the IMEI, get proof of purchase, and re-check a week later.
Once an IMEI is blacklisted due to insurance or theft, it cannot be reversed.
Bring it to EziRepair before buying — we’ll check IMEI, carrier lock, and part authenticity on the spot.”
Once an IMEI is blacklisted due to insurance or theft, it cannot be reversed.
Bring it to EziRepair before buying — we’ll check IMEI, carrier lock, and part authenticity on the spot.”
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