How to buy a phone safely in Cameroon: 12 checks

Buying a phone is a big purchase, and scams do exist: fake models, locked phones, devices with no warranty. The good news is that twelve simple checks are enough to rule out most of the risks. This guide explains how to buy a phone safely in Cameroon, with the checks in the order you should do them. It is written by Abdel Gafar Njupouen, CEO of Gafloow Store. You can use it with any seller, including us.

The answer in one sentence

To buy without risk, check the phone's origin (IMEI and receipt), its real condition (screen, battery, locked account) and the terms of sale (warranty, returns, traceable payment). If even one point is wrong, do not pay.

Before you decide

1. Compare the price with the market

A price that is too low is the first warning sign. Compare the same model, with the same storage, across several serious sellers. You will find our prices in FCFA in the catalogue. A big gap should make you ask why: a second-hand phone sold as new, a different model, or a doubtful origin.

2. Know what you are buying: new or second hand

Ask clearly whether the phone is brand new or second hand, and get the answer in writing if you can. A brand-new phone comes in its box with its accessories. An honest second-hand phone is presented as such, with its condition described.

3. Identify the seller

A serious seller gives a name and a phone number you can reach, and agrees to call you back. Be wary of accounts with no history, or sellers who disappear after a precise question. Reviews from real customers are a good sign.

Checking the origin

4. Compare the IMEI in three places

Dial *#06# on the phone. Compare the number with the one on the box and the one on the receipt. All three must match. A dual-SIM phone has two IMEI numbers: check both. The details are in our guide on how to check the IMEI.

5. Check the customs status

Enter the IMEI on mpie.camcis.cm, the checking site cited by the Cameroonian press. It is free. If the number is not recognised, do not pay. All the rules are explained in our guide on customs-cleared phones in Cameroon.

6. Insist on a receipt

The receipt shows the seller, the date, the model and, ideally, the IMEI. Without a receipt, you have neither a usable warranty nor proof of origin. Keep it with the box.

Checking the condition

7. Make sure the phone is not locked to an account

A phone can stay linked to its previous owner's account (Apple, Google or Samsung). In that case it becomes unusable. Switch it on: it should offer the first-time setup, not ask for someone else's login. On a second-hand phone, ask the previous owner to sign out of their account in front of you.

8. Test the screen and touch

Turn the screen brightness to maximum. Look for stains, dead pixels and lines. Slide a finger over the whole surface to check that touch responds everywhere.

9. Test the cameras, sound and buttons

Take a photo with the rear camera and with the front camera. Play a video to test the speaker. Make a short call to test the microphone. Press every button, then test the charging port with your own cable.

10. Look at the battery

On an iPhone, battery health is shown in the settings. On an Android phone, charge it for a few minutes and watch whether the percentage rises normally. Avoid a phone that heats up or loses a lot of charge in a few minutes.

Checking the terms

11. Ask for the warranty and returns in writing

A verbal warranty is worth nothing. Ask how long it lasts, what it covers and how a return works. With us, everything is written on the warranty and returns page.

12. Pay in a traceable way

Choose a payment that leaves a record: Mobile Money with a confirmation, for example. Before you confirm, check the amount and the recipient's name when it is shown. Keep the confirmation message. Never share your PIN, and be wary of any seller who pushes you to pay before you see the phone.

The most common scams

Scammers keep repeating the same scenarios. Once you know them, you spot them faster.

• The slashed price. A much-wanted phone at a price far below the market, "today only". The aim: make you pay before you think.
• The box that does not match. The box belongs to a newer model, but the phone inside is an older one or a refurbished unit.
• The parcel with no phone. After a remote payment, the parcel contains something worthless. That is why you must check the contents on delivery.
• The locked account. The phone works when you buy it, then locks: it is still linked to its previous owner's account.
• The fake "customs clearance". The seller swears everything is in order, with no proof. Only the IMEI check counts.
• Advance payment to a stranger. You are asked to send money "to reserve" the phone to a number with no history.
• The fake copy. A phone that imitates the look of a well-known model, with fake software and fake parts.

If you recognise one of these signs, stop everything. You lose nothing by saying no, while a bad purchase can cost you a lot.

A special case: buying a second-hand phone

A second-hand phone can be a good deal, as long as you step up the checks. On top of the twelve points above:

• meet the seller in a public place, in daylight;
• insist that the previous owner signs out of their accounts in front of you;
• ask for the original receipt, or at least the box, to compare the IMEI;
• check the customs status before you pay, never after;
• keep some budget aside: a second-hand phone may need a repair or a new battery.

For a worry-free purchase, you can also choose a brand-new phone: browse our iPhones, our Samsung Galaxy phones and our Google Pixels.

What we do on our side

We invite you to run these checks with us too. On delivery, you can open the parcel in front of the courier, check that the phone matches your order and compare the IMEI. Everything is explained on our 24-hour delivery page. If something is not right, our advisers answer you on WhatsApp.

The checklist to keep

Copy this list into your notes before every purchase.

When to walk away

Walk away if the seller refuses a check, if the IMEI on the box does not match, if the phone asks for an unknown account, or if you are pushed to pay immediately. A good phone will still be there after a ten-minute check.

For a phone that is already locked, read our guide on what to do when a phone is locked.

Information cited last checked: 23 September 2026.