Bury the phones? Oh my GOD, I am laughing very much so.

There are chips in ever cell phone sold in the world that can be tracked by GPS, via satellite. Burying the phones will do no good as they can easily track and find those phones, yes, even underground, and I'm guessing these aren't deep holes you dug either.

But whatever...you didn't give your guy the money first I hope...? If you did, you got ripped off.