Playstation 5: between theft and scams
The Playstation 5, or PS5, is Sony's latest generation console since the PS4 was released in 2013. The PS5 was released on 19 November 2020 in France, 9 days after the latest generation of its main competitor, Microsoft and its Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S.
The PS5 comes in 2 versions: the 'classic' Playstation 5, which costs €499, and the Playstation 5 Digital Edition, which costs €399. The only technical difference between these two consoles is that the 'classic' PS5 has a Blu-ray player, which is not the case with the PS5 Digital Edition. As a result, games for the PS5 Digital Edition can only be purchased from the PS Store, Sony's online shop.
Within hours of its release on 19 November, the Playstation was already out of stock. It's probably one of the most sought-after products at the moment. As you know as well as I do, that feeling of scarcity attracts scams and rip-offs. Since pre-orders opened in September 2020, the PS5 has been the subject of 'auctions' at exorbitant prices, with prices reaching into the thousands of euros on classified sites such as Ebay and Leboncoin...
1. Selling consoles at exorbitant prices
Many people have bought the Playstation 5 not because they're great gamers, but because they want to be able to resell this latest-generation console at staggering prices. Given the high demand for this console, some gamers are prepared to break the piggy bank to get it.
On classified ads and private sales websites, you can find the Playstation 5 on sale for an average of €800 and sometimes as much as €2,000, compared with the maximum price of €499 for the 'classic' PS5 in shops.
Ads posted on Leboncoin
2. Theft and disappearance of consoles
There was also the scandal of Amazon sellers stealing their customers' consoles instead of... delivering them! In the UK, several customers received products that were completely different from their initial orders, such as household appliances or pet food instead of the PS5.
The parcels of 2 people who had ordered a PS5
The problem is that demand for the Playstation 5 is so high that these buyers may not receive a replacement Playstation 5, but only a refund of the money they spent.
On 25 November, 3 armed robbers attacked a FedEx warehouse in the Lyon region. Armed with flashballs, they forced their way into the storage site and managed to steal entire pallets of consoles and video games. They then fled the scene. To date, they have still not been found by the police.
FedEx management has set up a psychological unit for employees who were present at the time of the attack.
3. The Playstation 5 scam
4 minors were arrested on Friday in Soissons for a Playstation 5 scam in which they pretended to sell a PS5 for €700 on Leboncoin. A meeting was arranged with an interested buyer.
During the meeting, the swindler pretended to count the money that the buyer had just given him, and fled with the loot, joining his 3 accomplices. The Soissons police station reacted quickly and arrested 4 suspects at their schools.
4. Selling simple photos of the Playstation 5
Some sellers are selling simple photos of the coveted PS5 and are counting on the negligence of PS5 fans to make money. They're even going so far as to sell these photos at the official retail price of the Playstation 5, which is €450 or more. In order to get round the refund conditions, these scammers include "Only Pictures" in the title of their adverts, so anyone who has been taken in would not be eligible for a refund from the website.
An Ebay ad for a simple photo of a PS5
Ebay was quick to react to this scam and is responsible for removing all scams of this kind. So, normally, you shouldn't find any, but it's not impossible. We also appeal to your suspicion.
5. The cardboard console
Some people will do anything to make money. This time it's a man who has created an entire cardboard Playstation 5 replica, right down to the controller. The best or worst part (depending on how you look at it) is that one person took the bait! This man managed to sell his cardboard console for $400 on Ebay. This could be the biggest scam ever seen on Ebay!
And what about you? Have you fallen into the trap?
Buy your Playstation 5 safely on Obvy
So be careful if you buy your Playstation 5 from unofficial sites or classified ad sites. Read the descriptions carefully, and don't hesitate to ask sellers for additional photos or proof of purchase if it's new (invoice). Many people acting in bad faith take advantage of the slightest loophole to trick you.
Buy your PS5 in total security thanks to Obvy and its secure payment method, designed to counter 100% of scams in transactions between private individuals. For example, with Obvy, the seller only gets paid when the buyer acknowledges receipt of the parcel and certifies that it is in order.
If you absolutely must have the Playstation before Christmas, you'll just have to wait a little longer, as Sony has announced that retailers will be restocking before the end of the year. Alternatively, you can try your hand at winning it in our competition, where we're giving away a PS5 Digital Edition just for entering on our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages!