“House of stolen iPhones”: How cell phones stolen in China are sold

Apple has developed more and more difficult to crack methods over the years to protect stolen iPhones from being commissioned by thieves. A cell phone from the manufacturer without a PIN or Apple account cannot be reset, users can track and lock it from a distance-and with the so-called stolen device fashion, newer claustrial strategies are also combated. However, the criminals have also professionalized: the devices are still resold. A longer one According to the Financial Times report, has developed an international claw business, in which a certain address in Shenzhen, the Chinese electronics metropolis, which is located right next to Hong Kong, plays a central role. In the “House of Stolen Iphones” devices are marketed and-often through extortion-tries to unlock the Apple cell phones.

Experiments of blackmail via contact number

According to the report, the paths of several Iphones stolen in western cities were tracked to Shenzhen – gladly through a stopover in Hong Kong. Although unlocked models are most valuable, the components can still be sold. The sellers state that they have no idea why they keep US and European models in stock. Perfide: It is often attempted to blackmail the legitimate owners in blocked iPhones. The number or email address is used, which display the devices in the disappearance mode if you have set it up.

One of the criminals wrote to a stuck person that it was only “recycling seller” and did not steal the device. But if the lock is not removed, the main board could be “hacked” to get credit cards or family data. “Therefore, we recommend that you deactivate the lock as soon as possible so that we can reset the device and delete all the data.”

Open trade with stolen goods

According to the London police, cell phone theft in the British metropolis is a business that generates at least £ 50 million a year. The authority secured 1000 stolen devices as part of an action week and arrested 230 people. In the “House of Stolen Iphones”, meanwhile takes care of devices that cannot be unlocked. You acquire specialized companies from the buyers and then try to crack them.

According to FT, companies don’t have a guilty conscience. The operators of the entire “mall”, which “Tongiandi Communication Market” calls themselves, did not want to take a position on the drives in their building. It was often stated that the sellers were “private individuals”. “What they sell is their thing, they should ask them,” said one of the answers. The fact that it is very easy in Hong Kong to import products – there is free trade – makes the city an ideal starting point in the illegal supply chain. Users cannot do anything – except to delete and lock their devices from a distance.