Risk of Buying PoGo Account?

[Lavillana]

There are a ton of very nice and low priced PoGo accounts for sale right now. They have plenty of high level trainers with dozens of 2k rares in the accounts. As tempting as it is, I still wonder what is going to happen when the banwave hits. I doubt that any of those sellers will be able to give refunds if the accounts get banned a day or two from now. We all know those accounts were botted, and Niantic is not stupid. If they do decide to start a banwave, what will happen?

[123notit]

No refunds. So just gg hope they had fun with account.

[zerospec0]

They will attempt to ban every and all botted accounts. Have no doubt that Niantic does NOT care that people are buying botted accounts on forums and other places which are against their TOS. They do not care that you knowingly violated that or that you knowingly or unknowingly bot those accounts, their only concern is banning them.

[Fadelol]

I would say it is likely they do get banned. But nobody really knows. Considering the likely price (1-10 USD) I could probably still consider buying one and have fun until then if I didn't have so many myself.

[zerospec0]

I would say it is likely they do get banned. But nobody really knows. Considering the likely price (1-10 USD) I could probably still consider buying one and have fun until then if I didn't have so many myself.

I can't see Niantic looking at these accounts and saying "oh you spent money on it, well then we will let you go with your 3000cp dragonite" They may not expect people to read their TOS but they expect it to be followed.

This is copied and pasted from their TOS


Effect of Termination on Trading Items, Virtual Money, and Virtual Goods
We may cancel, suspend, or terminate your Account and your access to your Trading Items, Virtual Money, Virtual Goods, the Content, or the Services, in our sole discretion and without prior notice, including if (a) your Account is inactive (i.e., not used or logged into) for one year; (b) you fail to comply with these Terms; (c) we suspect fraud or misuse by you of Trading Items, Virtual Money, Virtual Goods, or other Content; (d) we suspect any other unlawful activity associated with your Account; or (e) we are acting to protect the Services, our systems, the App, any of our users, or the reputation of Niantic, TPC, or TPCI. We have no obligation or responsibility to, and will not reimburse or refund, you for any Trading Items, Virtual Money, or Virtual Goods lost due to such cancellation, suspension, or termination. You acknowledge that Niantic is not required to provide a refund for any reason, and that you will not receive money or other compensation for unused Virtual Money and Virtual Goods when your Account is closed, whether such closure was voluntary or involuntary.

[Lavillana]

My question was not whether or not they would pass on the ban because the account was purchased. That is a bannable offense by itself. My question was, is it worth the risk since the accounts were obviously botted? I like Fadelol's answer. If two days of playing with a higher level account is worth $10 just to get revenge on a buddy that took your gym, then go for it. :-)

[noobcakes69]

My question was not whether or not they would pass on the ban because the account was purchased. That is a bannable offense by itself. My question was, is it worth the risk since the accounts were obviously botted? I like Fadelol's answer. If two days of playing with a higher level account is worth $10 just to get revenge on a buddy that took your gym, then go for it. :-)

It's worth the risk if you can deal with losing the account and money if it does get banned. If you can't then no, not worth the risk.