Scammed by Cell Buddy – Bought a Phone via WhatsApp, Now They’re Not Responding. What Can I Do?

Community Forums Legal Advice India Scammed by Cell Buddy – Bought a Phone via WhatsApp, Now They’re Not Responding. What Can I Do?

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    • #43353 Reply
      User_4a7dc14e
      Participant
        U
        User_4a7dc14e
        PARTICIPANT
        March 3, 2025 at 1:16 am
        Hey everyone,

        I recently bought a phone from a website called Cell Buddy, which had both good and bad reviews. Their site only listed open-box phones, but when I contacted them via WhatsApp (the website redirected me to a WhatsApp), they told me that sealed new phones were only available through direct orders.

        I went ahead and ordered a new phone from them, and the device was shipped from Mumbai to Bengaluru. Since I was away during the delivery, my neighbor paid via UPI (which I now realize was a huge mistake). When I finally got back and opened the box (I have video proof), I found that the phone was not working at all – it won’t even switch on.

        Now, the seller isn’t responding on WhatsApp or calls. I only have their WhatsApp number and chat history as proof. Given the situation, I need some guidance:
        • Since the phone was shipped from Mumbai to Bengaluru, should I file a complaint in Mumbai or Bengaluru?
        • Is there any way to track them using the WhatsApp number or UPI details?
        • How should I proceed legally? Should I go to the Cybercrime portal, Consumer Forum, or local police?
        • I have a flight to London via Mumbai tomorrow morning – would it help if I file a complaint in Mumbai while I’m there?

        I know I messed up by ordering via WhatsApp and paying through UPI, but if there’s any chance to track them down or take action, I’d really appreciate any advice.

        Thanks in advance!

      • #43361 Reply
        Primedeepa9821
        Participant
          P
          Primedeepa9821
          PARTICIPANT
          March 3, 2025 at 1:33 am
          Take the phone to service centre and explain them the issue. They will check what’s wrong with the phone and tell you. Try calling CellBuddy or see where their official head office is. If nothing happens then move on since it’s not worth investing time and resources over this since nothing is going to happen.

          • #43367 Reply
            User_4a7dc14e
            Participant
              U
              User_4a7dc14e
              OP
              March 3, 2025 at 2:37 am
              Its a well reputed website, can’t let them get away and I just couldn’t imagine moving on from this. I know my options are very slim. But I have to try something here ig

              • #43374 Reply
                Primedeepa9821
                Participant
                  P
                  Primedeepa9821
                  PARTICIPANT
                  March 3, 2025 at 3:59 am
                  I have heard cellbuddy before, not sure how reputed it is. You need to try contacting them again from another number may be. Try all contact sources. Check where their official head office is.

            • #43360 Reply
              Primevaishnavi8795
              Participant
                P
                Primevaishnavi8795
                PARTICIPANT
                March 3, 2025 at 1:57 am
                It would be a hit or miss, with such companies. These companies can close their brand and immediately start with a new name. You can take it as a lesson learned.

                • #43366 Reply
                  User_4a7dc14e
                  Participant
                    U
                    User_4a7dc14e
                    OP
                    March 3, 2025 at 2:39 am
                    I understand, should’ve done more research. But I saw a lot a reviews before ordering.

                    • #43373 Reply
                      Brighthero7316
                      Participant
                        B
                        Brighthero7316
                        PARTICIPANT
                        March 3, 2025 at 3:11 am
                        You do know reviews can be bought right?

                  • #43359 Reply
                    Megaaashish7438
                    Participant
                      M
                      Megaaashish7438
                      PARTICIPANT
                      March 3, 2025 at 2:23 am
                      Cellbuddy is located in Malad Mumbai, I got a 12pro max from their shop a couple of years ago, I asked for a seal packed box and they provided which looked new. This was supposed to be a gift so I kept it sealed and when we opened the box, we got a second hand phone with a lot of parts replaced with cheap ones. Later I went to Apple Service Centre and they told me it would cost around 30K to fix all the things wrong with the phone. I was so pissed I went to Cellbuddy and spoke to the owner who handed me the phone the other day. I literally said them because of you guys my relationship is ruined with my finance. To owner took me to the corner and we sorted it out. He provided me a new seal packed 14. The best bet is you go there ASAP or give it to someone who stays here and tell them to get this done. Trust me those Cellbuddy guys are all goons and 90% of their products are repaired phones which they have marketed as new and affordable Iphones. Hope you get it replaced.

                      • #43365 Reply
                        User_4a7dc14e
                        Participant
                          U
                          User_4a7dc14e
                          OP
                          March 3, 2025 at 2:35 am
                          Thanks for the much needed insight sir, the problem is I’m in Bengaluru right now and I have a flight to London via Mumbai at 9 tomorrow, with less than 2 hours layover. Saw the distance to cell buddy and it’s not possible for me to return on time. I’m not sure about my options here. Should I file a complaint in Mumbai? Bought this for my mom for her Birthday and got embarrassed, can’t let them get away with it. Is there anything I can do online?

                          • #43372 Reply
                            Fiercesheela6871
                            Participant
                              F
                              Fiercesheela6871
                              PARTICIPANT
                              March 3, 2025 at 3:14 am
                              File a fraud case on consumer portal by goi

                              • #43376 Reply
                                User_4a7dc14e
                                Participant
                                  U
                                  User_4a7dc14e
                                  OP
                                  March 3, 2025 at 3:23 am
                                  Sure, will do it right away

                              • #43371 Reply
                                Luckyishant8759
                                Participant
                                  L
                                  Luckyishant8759
                                  PARTICIPANT
                                  March 3, 2025 at 4:27 am
                                  If you know someone in Mumbai, you can give them the phone during the layover.

                                • #43370 Reply
                                  Swiftrupal4585
                                  Participant
                                    S
                                    Swiftrupal4585
                                    PARTICIPANT
                                    March 3, 2025 at 5:44 am
                                    Don’t bother if you cannot yourself go there and work it out. This is not utopic India where you file a complaint and the authorities start working hard on the case and get you justice.

                                  • #43369 Reply
                                    Megaaashish7438
                                    Participant
                                      M
                                      Megaaashish7438
                                      PARTICIPANT
                                      March 4, 2025 at 6:26 am
                                      Nothing you can do about it TBH. At max if you keep contacting them with different phone numbers they might give you a replacement. Even then I am not sure about the quality of replacement. I also learned my lesson in a hard way but I bought from the store and went with a local friend of mine so they couldn’t do much.

                                • #43358 Reply
                                  Brighthero7316
                                  Participant
                                    B
                                    Brighthero7316
                                    PARTICIPANT
                                    March 3, 2025 at 3:12 am
                                    No such thing as discounts son.

                                    • #43364 Reply
                                      User_4a7dc14e
                                      Participant
                                        U
                                        User_4a7dc14e
                                        OP
                                        March 3, 2025 at 4:12 am
                                        Not just for the discount sir

                                    • #43357 Reply
                                      Salonipanther485
                                      Participant
                                        S
                                        Salonipanther485
                                        PARTICIPANT
                                        March 3, 2025 at 3:42 am
                                        You can file case in Bangalore also as part cause of action arose here. Both FIR and consumer case.

                                        • #43363 Reply
                                          User_4a7dc14e
                                          Participant
                                            U
                                            User_4a7dc14e
                                            OP
                                            March 3, 2025 at 4:11 am
                                            Sure, will do it.

                                        • #43356 Reply
                                          User_d9f0ea9d
                                          Participant
                                            U
                                            User_d9f0ea9d
                                            PARTICIPANT
                                            March 3, 2025 at 4:24 am
                                            File a cyber complaint with chargeback for the amount. Add ample proof so that their account is freezed

                                          • #43355 Reply
                                            Coolfox832
                                            Participant
                                              C
                                              Coolfox832
                                              PARTICIPANT
                                              March 3, 2025 at 5:37 am
                                              Ye chutiye aa kahan se jaate hain

                                            • #43354 Reply
                                              User_3caaa2bf
                                              Participant
                                                U
                                                User_3caaa2bf
                                                PARTICIPANT
                                                March 3, 2025 at 6:28 am
                                                Why do you ppl take these shortcuts? Why can’t you buy your phone from the Apple or Samsung retailer like a normal person?

                                                • #43362 Reply
                                                  User_5aa2bd60
                                                  Participant
                                                    U
                                                    User_5aa2bd60
                                                    PARTICIPANT
                                                    March 4, 2025 at 10:40 pm
                                                    It’s cheaper

                                                    • #43368 Reply
                                                      User_3caaa2bf
                                                      Participant
                                                        U
                                                        User_3caaa2bf
                                                        PARTICIPANT
                                                        March 5, 2025 at 7:24 am
                                                        It’s the real price minus your assumed cost of risk. Too bad your risk assumption is way off.
                                                        Greedy ppl like OP should be scammed so they learn the hard way.

                                                        • #43375 Reply
                                                          User_4a7dc14e
                                                          Participant
                                                            U
                                                            User_4a7dc14e
                                                            OP
                                                            March 6, 2025 at 7:29 am
                                                            I understand that you’re upset and want me scammed. The real reason I bought this from Cell Buddy is that the phone was discontinued in official stores, as it’s a 2022 model. I couldn’t find it anywhere online except for a few websites like this one. Despite being more expensive than other options, I chose this seller because it seemed like a lower-risk purchase(with good reviews).

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