What happens if I unknowingly bought a stolen cellphone?

[babyboomer1001]

First off, I expect they confiscated the phone. When you buy another phone, make sure you pick it up from someone at his home, some place where you can direct the police if it happens again. Keep a record of the ad (off Craigs List, if that is the source) and keep a record of their email address. The way you bought it was risky and, was just too easily likely a stolen phone. If someone lets you come to their home, chances are, the phone is good.

Tell the police everything you know. If you don't or if they think you are lying, they can charge you with possession of stolen property, attempting to use stolen property, and the charges amount from there. So, it is important that you be honest and help them in their investigation. Not assisting them in their investigation could result in a a charge of obstruction of justice.

Lastly, you are out the money you paid for the phone. Fortunately, it was not an expensive item and it is better to learn a lesson over an inexpensive item instead of one costing hundreds or thousands of dollars.