Investigation Report
Generated on Mar 22, 2026
eBay Listing: Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max Cosmic Orange 512GB by hstev-31
https://www.ebay.com/itm/389774735850Â Why we think so?Â
This eBay listing advertises an 'Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max Cosmic Orange 512GB (Unlocked)' in excellent condition for $496, shipped from Massillon, Ohio. The seller, "hstev-31," has a feedback score of 0 and offers no returns. The price is less than half of recent major-market prices (typically ~$1,140+ refurbished or $1,399 new). There are no available reviews or independent third-party feedback for this seller. The listing has not recorded any prior sales. No public evidence ties this seller to scams or counterfeit goods so far, but the drastically low price, "unbranded" product attribute, lack of seller history, and no returns all introduce significant risk with this listing. 🛑 Caution is highly advised.
Risk Insights
Very high-risk, unproven eBay seller
- Zero feedback: seller has no proven record of fulfillment.
- Price far below legitimate channels; classic scam pattern.
- No returns policy—no recourse if item isn't delivered or is fake.
No counterfeiting accusation—yet
- No direct allegations or reports found for 'hstev-31'.
- Lack of sellers with reputation is a risk by itself for luxury/cutting-edge goods.
Category Scores
Red Flags & Warnings
- Zero feedback—no evidence the seller has ever delivered as promised.
- Price is less than half of the going rate for equivalent products; strongly suggests risk.
- "Unbranded" set for an Apple-labeled product is a suspicious attribute mismatch.
- No returns increases buyer risk—especially problematic for new, unproven sellers.
Detailed Checks & Insights
0-100 Scale
Seller feedback and account history
Score: 50
Seller feedback and account history
"Risk is dramatically higher with new sellers, as there is no buyer history or verification."
Reason: A feedback score of 0 signals this seller has no documented reputation on eBay. Serious buyers should expect an established track record, especially for high-value electronics.
Product pricing sanity vs. reputable channels
Score: 10
Product pricing sanity vs. reputable channels
"Back Market and Amazon Renewed both list the item for more than double this eBay price."
Reason: The price is less than half of the lowest price from trusted sellers. This is frequently a sign of either non-delivery, counterfeit, or bait-and-switch scams.
Product branding and description consistency
Score: 15
Product branding and description consistency
"Inconsistency in product details is a hallmark of risky listings."
Reason: The listing describes the item as an 'Apple iPhone,' but 'Brand' is marked as 'Unbranded,' creating major doubt about authenticity.
Seller returns and eBay buyer protection
Score: 20
Seller returns and eBay buyer protection
"Most high-risk sellers disable returns to avoid accountability."
Reason: The seller does not offer returns, reducing potential to recover losses if the listing is fraudulent.
Public scam/counterfeit reports
Score: 85
Public scam/counterfeit reports
"Absence of accusations is not proof of safety, but no direct red flags found outside eBay's platform."
Reason: No specific evidence in public web results alleges that seller 'hstev-31' is a known scammer.
Your Next Steps
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1
Do NOT purchase from this seller unless credible reviews and transaction history appear.
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2
Check seller feedback history for any updates before taking any action.
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3
If you have already purchased, immediately contact eBay Buyer Protection to request cancellation or investigate the listing.
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4
For high-value electronics, use sellers with extensive positive feedback and return policies.
Key Evidence & Citations
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eBay listing for Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max Cosmic Orange 512GB (Unlocked), seller hstev-31, feedback 0, no returns
⤷ Listing attributes (zero seller feedback, unbranded field, no returns, price, item details, and location) gathered directly from eBay.
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Comparison: Refurbished/New Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max 512GB Cosmic Orange price, reputable sellers
⤷ Price history for legitimate comparable product. $1,140–$1,399 range for equivalent condition. Shows how low this listing's price is.
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Online search: hstev-31 scam/counterfeit evidence
⤷ No direct evidence found accusing this seller of scams, but best practice warns strongly against low-feedback sellers for high-value items.
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