It was too good to be true.
A victim of its own success, the PlayStation 5 (PS5) is out of stock.
As an alternative, some are turning to second-hand shopping sites to acquire the console.
But on the eBay auction site, ads featuring the PS5 actually offer Internet users to buy a simple picture of the console, reveals the Eurogamer site.
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The ad appears safe: photo of the console, sometimes packed in its original box, same title as the real ads for PS5, and description of its technical characteristics.
The only difference: the sellers indicate in the title of the ad
"photo edition"
and specify in the description that it is only an image of the PS5.
“
I want to warn you that if you buy through my listing you will only receive the PlayStation pictured.
For those who cannot have it and who want to decorate their living room
”, can we read in one of the advertisements.
The objective is to clear all responsibility, while betting on the inattention of buyers.
An error that can be expensive, because the price of the photo is equivalent, if not higher, than that of the console, reaching a few hundred euros.
Having heard of these scams, eBay urged internet users to be careful with the ads: “With
any purchase, but especially for items that are very expensive or in high demand, buyers should exercise caution and read the listing description carefully.
“, Recalls the site in a press release.
The auction site has also claimed to be working to remove these fraudulent ads, which it strongly condemns: "
We condemn these opportunistic sellers who try to deceive other users."
“We are in the process of removing all PS5 photo ads from our market and will take appropriate action against sellers
,” he said in his statement.
Read also: PlayStation 5: armed robbery in a Fedex warehouse near Lyon
The number of victims of this scam is not known, but eBay has committed to providing a refund "
to buyers who receive an item that does not match the description (...), provided they have completed the transaction on the eBay platform.
"
