How the MobileUnlocked / OfficialSimUnlock scam works
1. MobileUnlocked.com and OfficialSimUnlock.com will offer a unlock at a low initial price to get you hooked. In this case, there is an initial charge of $26. This is known as price gouging, or a bait-and-switch.
2. After you pay the initial fee, MobileUnlocked.com and OfficialSimUnlock.com come back 24 hours later claiming that the unlock is "ready", but you now need to pay a larger sum, such as $150. They may say this is because your phone is "very expensive" or "financed" or some other made-up reason.
They will also say if you don't proceed with the unlock then your device will become blocked as there is a limited number of unlocking attempts - this is one of their malicious, empty threats.
3. If you pay the additional amount, after some time passes (in this example 30 days) with absolutely no contact whatsoever, the scammer informs you that your phone cannot be unlocked as it is "blocked" and they cannot refund you. If you tell them you will dispute the transaction, they will come up with a second malicious threat saying they will take you to court. Another lie!
4. As a "concession", they offer to refund a portion of your payments, such as 50%. However, even if you accept this, the refund never actually arrives. In the end, the scammer disappears with all the money you paid.
