How would a thief use an iPhone with Activation Lock

[DominikHoffmann]

My wife’s iPhone 5 is lost and was probably stolen. She left it behind in the restroom of a very reputable hotel, where she was holding an event. Less than 20 min later it was gone.

While it was low on charge, it should have had enough left to respond to Find My iPhone about two hours later, when we was able to turn her attention away from the event. At that point I was unable to track it with the Find my iPhone app on my phone. This could have been, because the charge did run out, or because the person swiping the phone took out the SIM card immediately.

With the phone running iOS 7 and Find My iPhone having been enabled, it also had Activation Lock turned on. What can thief do with this phone at this point, as it is essentially bricked?

 

[pcfarrar]

Yep useless, all the thief could do is sell the parts.

 

[DominikHoffmann]

Yep useless, all the thief could do is sell the parts.

Are their fences out there that will take a stolen phone and break it down, in order to sell it?

 

[kh3khalid]

Are their fences out there that will take a stolen phone and break it down, in order to sell it?

Of course.

 

[denverjohn]

Are their fences out there that will take a stolen phone and break it down, in order to sell it?

LOL, fences? Ok mugsy!

 

[JayLenochiniMac]

Are their fences out there that will take a stolen phone and break it down, in order to sell it?

As indicated by the eBay thread, they just sell it whole as parts and aren't afraid to do it.