A number of Canadians looking to buy the latest Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max are turning to online sources to find discounted deals. Many think they're saving hundreds of dollars, according to Constable Julie Campbell with Toronto Police, but many are getting stuck with fake iPhones. He added that "One person paid $1,200 while another paid $1,300."

Constable Campbell said she is getting more reports of the phones being sold through online classified websites and said it’s getting harder to tell a fake iPhone from a real one. Campbell added that "The fraudsters are doing a pretty good job of making them look legitimate [online]. Though in reality they're cheaply made and of poor quality."

The disturbing part to this is that fake iPhones are actually Android phones with a fake iPhone user interface.   

There is also a concern the fake phones could contain malware and steal your information. The best way to protect yourself is to only buy a phone through an authorized dealer and beware of any deals that seem too good to be true.

Lastly, the CTV News report noted that the Toronto Police also stated that there's been an increase in the sale of fake Apple AirPods. The counterfeit headphones will power up but  aren't able to pair to your iPhone.