Interesting Blacklist Issue

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Shapenz

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#251713 8-Jul-2019 10:33

So recently I picked up a good deal on a Pixel 3 from Swappa - Unlocked model - clean IMEI in the US. Shipped it over with Youshop and have been using it on Skinny without issue.

Out of curiosity I checked the IMEI on the TFC website today which I was checking a TradeMe one for my mum and what do you know... it shows as Blacklisted.

Kinda interesting I thought seeing as the phone wouldn't have existed in NZ before I bought it over. I did have an issue previously when I sold my old Pixel and the receiver said it Blacklisted but the telco's denied it so I wonder how there IMEI numbers are making it onto the list....

freitasm

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#2271777 8-Jul-2019 11:53

It could be this was a stolen handset in the country of origin, the thieves changed the IMEI to a non-blocked one in that country but using a number that is shared with a few more handsets (they aren't very creative).

If one of these handsets ever made to New Zealand and was reported stolen or lost here then the IMEI would be blocked - and seeing it is a common IMEI any other handset from the same source would be immediately blocked too.

It happens.

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Shapenz

518 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 70

#2271853 8-Jul-2019 14:12

I do get what you are saying - both these handsets the IMEI in the software matches in IMEI on the sim card tray and the TFC site shows the correct model.... but as you say there may be a local (stolen) handset that has been flashed with the IMEI of these phones.

It just seems odd to me that both of the Pixels I imported (First used, second new sealed box) show as blacklisted on TFC... but still work okay despite this. It will just make my resale value poor when I upgrade to the Pixel 4.

If only there was a reliable local supplier for these