We’ve all heard how Apple’s “Find My iPhone” feature saves lives. But this time, the story is like a crime movie. Police, tracking down a single stolen iPhone, uncovered a massive smuggling network involving 40,000 phones. Let’s take a look at the details of this incredible operation.
A single iPhone signal launched a massive operation
It all began with the theft of a user’s iPhone. The victim immediately used the “Find My iPhone” feature to locate the device and notify the police. The signal pointed to a warehouse near a London airport. Police arriving at the warehouse were stunned by what they saw: the stolen iPhone was in the same box with exactly 894 other phones!
This initial discovery was just the tip of the iceberg. Further investigation revealed other shipments sent to the same address. After identifying two suspects through DNA traces on the packages, police expanded the operation to raid 28 other addresses. These raids have revealed a picture reminiscent of a movie.
- Estimated Smuggling Volume: Nearly 40,000 Stolen Phones
- Number of Suspects Arrested: 18
- Number of Devices Seized: Over 2,000
Authorities suspect that this gang alone may have smuggled nearly half of the phones stolen in London abroad.
So, why is this business so lucrative? According to reports, phone theft has become so lucrative that some criminals have turned to this area of the illegal drug trade. Apple products, in particular, are a prime target for thieves due to their high market value abroad.
Allegedly, street thieves are paid up to £300 per device. When these phones are shipped to countries like China, the price can reach up to £4,000. This is primarily because these devices have freer internet access than domestic devices, making them an attractive option for those seeking to bypass censorship.
Thieves often snatch their phones while they’re out on the street and steal unlocked devices. So, how do they bypass Apple’s robust security measures, such as Activation Lock and Stolen Device Protection? While there’s no clear information on this, the most likely scenario is that the gang keeps the phones constantly on and unlocked. Because the devices are never turned off or reset, Activation Lock isn’t activated. Phones shipped abroad in this manner are sold unlocked, rather than being recovered from the owner’s Apple ID.
This incident further demonstrates the crucial security tool that the “Find My iPhone” feature can do much more than simply locate a lost device. We recommend ensuring this feature is always enabled on your device!
