DIGITAL LIFE

Financial Times: Why has China become a haven for iPhones stolen from Western countries?

While cell phone theft is a major problem in Brazil, other developed countries have also faced similar challenges, especially when it comes to iPhones.

According to an investigation conducted by the Financial Times, many of these phones stolen in the West have ended up in a place known by the nickname "Stolen iPhone Building".

Located in Shenzhen, a city in southern China, this establishment has an entire floor dedicated to trafficking in these iPhones stolen from the United Kingdom, the United States, France and even Brazil.

These iPhones are advertised as "iCloud locked" and are used for parts, including screens, batteries, chips, cameras and even the casing. In other words, nothing goes to waste for criminals.

Police in London estimate that phone theft represents an annual criminal industry worth £50 million, with similar problems reported in Paris and New York.

A bag of stolen iPhones was opened in China. The inconspicuous Feiyang Time Tower building in Shenzhen's Huaqiangbei district has earned the nickname "the stolen iPhone building" from Apple lovers. According to the Financial Times, this building has become a stronghold of an international network for trading stolen iPhones.

One example demonstrates the speed and organization of the entire system. When a London businessman named Sam Amrani had his iPhone 15 Pro stolen, the Find My function followed its path. From London, it passed through a repair shop to Hong Kong and finally to Shenzhen.

According to the injured party, the entire journey of the iPhone seemed well thought out and very well organized. According to the London police, phone theft has become a virtual industry worth up to £50 million annually. A similar increase has also been recorded in Paris and New York.

"iCloud locked"...On the 4th floor of the aforementioned Feiyang Tower, mainly used iPhones from Western countries are sold. Some of this comes from official purchases. But there are also many devices locked via iCloud. And dealers admit that even these models have their value when sold for spare parts. Hong Kong plays a significant role in this regard. Specifically, the building at 1 Hanging Road, where hundreds of wholesalers offer phones marked as "iCloud locked". 

Even if the iPhone cannot be unlocked, its disassembly is still profitable. In addition, some stolen users report that after activating Lost Mode, they receive messages from China asking them to remove the device from their Apple ID account (often under some threat). Removing the iPhone from Find My significantly increases its selling price. Have your iPhone been stolen?

mundophone