Marques Brownlee reveals FBI contacted him over Escobar folding phone

Tech YouTuber Marques ‘MKBHD’ Brownlee has shared details about the day the FBI reached out to him regarding the Escobar folding phone.

In March 2020, Marques Brownlee released a video showcasing the Escobar Fold 2, a gold Android phone that bore a striking resemblance to the Samsung Galaxy Fold and cost $399.

Upon further examination, it was revealed that the phone was indeed a Galaxy Fold, but with a gold sticker covering the back and hinge. Once the sticker over the hinge was removed, MKBHD uncovered a Samsung logo.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8FJSjy3bXA

The Truth About the Escobar Folding Phone! (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8FJSjy3bXA)

Over the years, Brownlee has made several hints that he had a run-in with the FBI, but his remarks were often dismissed as jokes by many.

On July 26, 2024, he finally disclosed the details of his encounter with the FBI, which occurred after they reached out to him to discuss the Escobar phone. They requested access to all communications between his team and the company and confiscated both devices as evidence in an ongoing fraud investigation.

According to him, they were primarily interested in the video and the procedures involved in working with the company. They requested all correspondence, including emails, related to my interactions with them.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9prH7NFmLI

My FBI Declassified Story (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9prH7NFmLI)

Brownlee made a statement alleging that the company was selectively sending phones to YouTubers and individuals they believed would give favorable feedback, while reportedly withholding devices from others.

“He stated that the individuals were being deceived and losing their money. Looking back, he couldn’t understand how they believed they could successfully execute their scheme. However, after he released a video exposing the situation, their entire plan failed.”

The CEO of Escobar was taken into custody for fraud in February 2024 after being accused of not fulfilling orders for nearly 600 phones. Additionally, he faced charges of smuggling, money laundering, and illegal trading of artwork.

Just a few days after MKBHD faced criticism for his Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra video, the FBI story emerged, prompting him to address some of the comments.