There is no precedence for this "dirty trick" Samsung has pulled on its customers. Samsung completely blindsided many customers. When you buy a car you naturally expect that it will come wheels. What if suddenly, and without warning, dealers stopped selling cars with wheels? What if you signed the deal and when you went to get into your car and you discovered that the wheels were removed while you were inside? What if some obscure sticker said "Wheels are for demonstration only and are not included"?
With regard to the phone I bought. If Samsung cannot verify the IMEI, then the phone is fake or might as well he fake.
All my phones were bought out of region. This is my first problem with it.