KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- Buyer pays $260 for what looked like brand new AirPods Pro on Carousell.
- Counterfeit set mimicked Apple warranty, serial number, and features convincingly.
- Apple confirmed the device was fake, leaving buyer without refund.
Fake AirPods Singapore: When you hear stories like this, you can’t help but feel a bit “aiyo, how come like that?”. A Carousell user thought he found a decent deal on AirPods Pro — not too cheap, not too suspicious — but still walked away with a counterfeit pair that looked and behaved almost like the real thing.
And if you’ve ever browsed Carousell from Jurong East to Pasir Ris, you’ll know how common it is to see “brand new, gift, no receipt” listings. Most of us just hope the seller is honest. This buyer, sadly, met the wrong person.
Summary Table: What Happened and Why It Looked Real
| Aspect | What the Buyer Saw | Why It Looked Legit |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $260 | Close enough to retail to seem believable |
| Packaging | Sealed, “brand new” | Counterfeits now mimic Apple boxes |
| Apple Warranty | Showed active warranty | Serial numbers can be cloned |
| Features | Noise cancellation, instant pairing | Fake units now copy key functions |
| Final Check | Apple Store assessment | Declared non-authentic in seconds |
How the $260 Fake AirPods Scam Unfolded
The buyer spotted a listing for “AirPods Pro Gen 3” priced at $260. Real ones go for $349 at iStudio, so on paper, it looked like a sensible discount rather than a too-good-to-be-true offer.
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He did what most of us would do — asked the usual questions.
“Brand new?”
“Unopened?”
“Any receipt?”
The seller, who later turned out to be a teenager, confidently replied yes to everything… except the receipt, explaining it away as a “gift”. That was the first warning sign, but not unusual enough to scare someone off.
The Meetup at Bukit Batok
They agreed to meet at Block 185 Bukit Batok West Avenue 6.
The seller looked young — maybe 15 to 17 years old — which somehow made the buyer relax. You don’t really expect a kid to run a scam, right?
He took a quick look at the box. Everything seemed in order. Instead of testing the AirPods, he handed over the $260.
A moment of trust that cost him.
Why Fake AirPods Today Are Nearly Impossible to Spot
On his iPhone, the AirPods connected instantly.
The name showed as AirPods Pro, just like the real thing.
The warranty page even displayed a start date of 16 Sept.
For a while, he tried to convince himself the set was genuine.
But as he listened, something felt off.
The sound was flat.
Noise cancellation didn’t hit like the real model.
And after some Googling, he found out the scary truth:
Today’s counterfeit AirPods can clone a serial number from an authentic pair.
That means the system will show Apple warranty, correct model name, and working features — all fake.
The Red Flags That Gave It Away
He ran more tests:
Heart Rate Sensor
The AirPods Pro 3 have a heart-rate sensor.
These didn’t respond at all.
Firmware
The software version wouldn’t update — another classic sign of counterfeit units.
Find My
Only the earbuds showed up.
The charging case location was missing.
At this point, everything pointed to a fake.
Apple Store Confirms It in Seconds
He booked an appointment with Apple, hoping for a miracle.
But the advisor took one glance and said,
“Sorry sir, this is non-authentic.”
Another technician confirmed it — also in less than 10 seconds.
Apple even prepared an official report so he could pursue the case legally.
The Seller Vanishes
When he messaged the seller again, silence.
No replies.
Likely blocked.
He has since:
- Lodged a police report
- Reported the listing to Carousell
- Considered filing a Magistrate’s complaint
And honestly, many Singaporeans reading this will probably feel the same frustration he did — how does someone so young get involved in scams like this?
What All Carousell Users Should Learn From This
Let’s be straightforward:
If the seller refuses PayNow and insists on cash — be more alert.
If there’s no receipt — don’t treat it as “normal”, treat it as a risk.
If you’re buying tech — always test before paying.
Counterfeit gadgets today are scarily close to the real thing.
Even seasoned users can fall for them.
Article Source: stomp.sg
How You Can Protect Yourself Next Time
1. Always pair and test before handing over money
Look for audio quality, sensor response, Find My support, and firmware updates.
2. Ask for original proof of purchase
Apple gift receipts exist.
“No receipt because gift” is a weak excuse now.
3. Never feel shy to walk away
Even if you’ve travelled across the island.
4. Use cash only if you’re 100% certain
Cash leaves no trail. That’s why scammers prefer it.
The buyer shared his story hoping others — especially younger Singaporeans using Carousell as a side hustle — learn to be more cautious.
As he put it, “If kids think scamming is easy money, that’s worrying.”
FAQs
Are fake AirPods really this realistic?
Sadly, yes. Some counterfeits copy serial numbers, packaging, and even software behaviours.
Does Apple warranty mean the product is real?
No. Cloned serial numbers can trick the warranty system temporarily.
What’s the safest way to buy Apple products in Singapore?
Authorised retailers like Apple, Challenger, iStudio, or official telco partners.
Can Carousell help in such cases?
You can file a report, but recovery depends on evidence and the seller’s cooperation.
What should I check before buying AirPods second-hand?
Test audio, sensors, firmware updates, and Find My support. Real sets should show the case location too.
