In recent times, the desire for expensive mobile phones, laptops and other electronic gadgets among the youth has become very high. Many young people want to own the latest iPhone, Samsung, or a powerful laptop for school, work, and social media. Because brand new ones are expensive, most of them turn to the second-hand market where these devices are sold at cheaper prices.

But there is a serious danger that many young people do not know. Most of these second-hand phones, laptops and tablets sold on the market are stolen devices.

Every day in Ghana, phones are snatched on the streets, in traffic and on motorbikes. Hostels and homes are broken into and laptops are stolen. Criminals who steal these items do not keep them. They quickly sell them off to second-hand dealers who then resell them to innocent buyers as “UK-used” or “slightly used.” The buyer is told a nice story to cover up the crime.

The sad reality is that when a device is tracked by the police through its IMEI or serial number, the person who will be arrested is not the thief, but the person holding it. Many young people are facing criminal charges of dishonestly receiving stolen property for devices they bought innocently. Some have spent months on remand, some are in prison, and others are going through stressful court trials for a crime they knew nothing about.

A student buys a fairly used laptop for her final year project. The next thing they hear is that the device was stolen from someone, sometimes during a robbery. At that point, no one will listen to your explanation on the street. You must prove it in court.

To avoid this trouble, the youth must be very careful.

If you need a mobile phone, laptop or any electronic device, go straight to the accredited company shop. Buy it yourself. It may be more expensive, but it is safe, original, and it comes with warranty. More importantly, always take the original receipt and keep it for future reference. That receipt with the shop’s name, date, serial number and IMEI is your proof that you are the legitimate owner. It can save you from prison.

Do not be deceived by low prices on the street, on Facebook, Instagram, or from friends who cannot explain the true source of the device. If a deal is too good to be true, it is not good. A brand new phone worth GH¢7,000 cannot be sold for GH¢1,500 unless there is a problem with it. As young people, we have a bright future ahead of us. We should not destroy that future because we wanted a cheap phone or laptop.

PUBLIC NOTICE
I wish to state that I am not against the buying and selling of second-hand mobile phones, laptops and other electronic devices. It is a genuine business that helps many people afford what they cannot buy brand new.

My concern is about the source of some of these devices. A good number of second-hand phones sold on the market today turn out to be stolen devices. When tracked, it is the innocent buyer who gets arrested and put before the law for possessing stolen property.

I therefore urge the public, especially the youth, to be cautious. To avoid being in trouble, buy from accredited company shops, purchase it yourself and always take a receipt for future reference. If you must buy second-hand, buy from trusted shops and demand a proper receipt.

Let us be wise. Let us be disciplined. Let us be cautious.

I write to inform.