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iPhone 5 stolen, got an email from finder

Hi, all!

A big update! I'm thrilled to report that I actually got my phone back tonight! The detective assisting me with the case gave me instructions to set up a meetup with the person who emailed me, which was a bit of a go-around; the person wanted $300 from me for my iPhone... a failed meetup, then finally it all worked out beautifully. Justice was served! I saw the person being arrested and handcuffed in front of me!

The detective will question how the person got my email address, etc, and hopefully the person didn't have personal information. I'm so very fortunate because my iPhone was returned to me in pristine condition! No new cracks or anything like that!

What a big relief and a big burden off my shoulders! Time for me to re-sell the phone to cover the cost for my 5s!

Thanks for all the support!
 
KoolAid-Drink said:
Hi, all!

A big update! I'm thrilled to report that I actually got my phone back tonight! The detective assisting me with the case gave me instructions to set up a meetup with the person who emailed me, which was a bit of a go-around; the person wanted $300 from me for my iPhone... a failed meetup, then finally it all worked out beautifully. Justice was served! I saw the person being arrested and handcuffed in front of me!

The detective will question how the person got my email address, etc, and hopefully the person didn't have personal information. I'm so very fortunate because my iPhone was returned to me in pristine condition! No new cracks or anything like that!

What a big relief and a big burden off my shoulders! Time for me to re-sell the phone to cover the cost for my 5s!

Thanks for all the support!
Click to expand...

That's excellent news!

You could always return that 5s you just got, get your upgrade back and wait for the next iPhone ;)
 
Update to the question of location:

Whew! I did a test with my 5 and putting it in Lost Mode while it being in Airplane Mode/turned off, and it seems like what the thief did was put it in DFU mode quickly, to prevent it from being located, because when I restored iOS on it, my test message showed immediately in the iTunes window, but the iPhone itself still wasn't located or showing as locate-able, so that's the most likely scenario: they immediately turned the iPhone off, likely while running away, then arrived home to do a DFU restore, and saw my message with my email and phone number, then contacted me a few days later (to seem legitimate and like the phone was sold on Craigslist, so not to arose suspicion).

That's my theory, anyway. If that's true, it'd be a mighty relief that they don't have my address or other personally identifiable information. My iPhone came fresh and erased, same as if it was DFU'ed (and it's impossible to erase an iPhone with iOS 7+, which my 5 had, without entering the Apple ID password), and also had a 5-minute passcode lock threshold, and it's hard to keep the iPhone 'awake', especially during running so fast, so this is the most likely scenario.

Of course, the detective shall have the final answer, but for now, I feel reassured.

alphaod said:
That's excellent news!

You could always return that 5s you just got, get your upgrade back and wait for the next iPhone ;)
Click to expand...

Haha, I can't imagine going back to the 5 now. It's just too easy with Touch ID!
 
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I just had a good read here :)
On page 3 i already thought OP got killed due to the lack of his posts :D

Happy end! :)
 
KoolAid-Drink said:
Justice was served! I saw the person being arrested and handcuffed in front of me!
Click to expand...

Congratulations on getting your iPhone back! I've had a couple iOS devices stolen, so it's gratifying to hear of one recovered and the perpetrator captured.

Would you mind describing how the meeting was set up and at what point the police intervened?
 
KoolAid-Drink said:
Hi, all!

A big update! I'm thrilled to report that I actually got my phone back tonight! The detective assisting me with the case gave me instructions to set up a meetup with the person who emailed me, which was a bit of a go-around; the person wanted $300 from me for my iPhone... a failed meetup, then finally it all worked out beautifully. Justice was served! I saw the person being arrested and handcuffed in front of me!
Click to expand...


This is great news! And not too different from what I predicted, I might add. :)


When my iPhone was stolen a few years back, my local police department at the time didn't even want to lift a finger to "waste their time" hunting down the thief, even though I had Find My iPhone location data. It's good to see justice served, and even better to see that some police departments still care about these things.
 
Lucille Carter said:
You people act like cops are there at our wishes. Our police would not do anything to help unless the guy was covered in donuts. Thousands of phone are lost and stolen every day and the police are not going to be much help!
Click to expand...

Very uncalled for little slur there. Police probably have a few more important things going on than a lost phone.
 
Honestly if I was you ill go get my phone take a parent or someone you trust with you
Waiting on the detective or police might be to late
At least here in New York is a waste of time reporting your phone cause most likely the cops won't bother with the case since they get thousands of reports of stolen phones. There's only so much they could do.
If you take to long most likely is like you said they'll either throw it away if they can't use it or try to sell it on craiglist to some idiot who would fall for it
 
rablat said:
Very uncalled for little slur there. Police probably have a few more important things going on than a lost phone.
Click to expand...
Seems like they apparently found the time to deal with this one.

----------
Princejb134 said:
Honestly if I was you ill go get my phone take a parent or someone you trust with you
Waiting on the detective or police might be to late
At least here in New York is a waste of time reporting your phone cause most likely the cops won't bother with the case since they get thousands of reports of stolen phones. There's only so much they could do.
If you take to long most likely is like you said they'll either throw it away if they can't use it or try to sell it on craiglist to some idiot who would fall for it
Click to expand...
The phone seems to have already been recovered with the help of police.
 
C DM said:
Seems like they apparently found the time to deal with this one.
Click to expand...


Apparently they did in this case.
However I was not referring to this particular case but the nasty remark made by the person I quoted originally.
But I should've considered the source most comments by said person are usually snarky.
 
jamezr said:
He could be involved….but now with IOS 7 he can't activate it since it is locked by you. Or he could be telling the truth…he could have bought then realized it was stolen and belongs to you. But still he is in possession of stolen property and he knows it. It is still against the law to be in possession of stolen goods…..
Click to expand...

A good person would contacted you and the authorities as soon as they realized it was stolen. The seller would have been charged with 2 Felonies ( at least in my state ). In court the good person would have recouped his money as restitution.
 
businezguy said:
Or you could pay him and not get the phone back. Cut your losses.
Click to expand...

Or you could go to pay a guy who stole your phone, get the crap beat out of you, and lose your phone and your money.

ETA: Just read the OP got his phone back but still never good advice to go meet someone who may have stolen your phone.
 
KoolAid-Drink said:
Hi, all!

A big update! I'm thrilled to report that I actually got my phone back tonight! The detective assisting me with the case gave me instructions to set up a meetup with the person who emailed me, which was a bit of a go-around; the person wanted $300 from me for my iPhone... a failed meetup, then finally it all worked out beautifully. Justice was served! I saw the person being arrested and handcuffed in front of me!

The detective will question how the person got my email address, etc, and hopefully the person didn't have personal information. I'm so very fortunate because my iPhone was returned to me in pristine condition! No new cracks or anything like that!

What a big relief and a big burden off my shoulders! Time for me to re-sell the phone to cover the cost for my 5s!

Thanks for all the support!
Click to expand...

Could you explain this a little more? I am intrigued...if this was a movie I would want a refund.
 
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CosmoPilot said:
Don't blame iOS, Control Center access from lock screen can be disabled by the user in settings.
Click to expand...

But its on by default and most people wont think about changing it until its too late and their phone is stolen.


Lucille Carter said:
You people act like cops are there at our wishes. Our police would not do anything to help unless the guy was covered in donuts. Thousands of phone are lost and stolen every day and the police are not going to be much help!
Click to expand...

Its one thing when the cops are looking for a stolen phone but in this case, someone was being black mailed to get their phone back. Blackmail is a lot higher on the list than just a stolen phone.
 
Smartass said:
Set up a meeting, go there with your friends and when the guy shows up kick his ass so much that he wont ever do that again:cool:
Click to expand...

Your name gives out so much irony lol. :D

Anyway, I hope you find your phone, OP. :)
 
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