NYC Apple Stores Being Targeted by Thieves Dressed as Retail Staff

[djnigelchung]

I guess the serial numbers will be deactivated and activating the devices will be impossible. So the thieves haven't really gained much.

Within north america yes.

However send these phones to a contact in Europe or Asia.. can easily make 70% retail value
(Source: Have a cousin that does that with deactivated phones)

 

[macs4nw]

I guess the serial numbers will be deactivated and activating the devices will be impossible. So the thieves haven't really gained much.

But the crooks are counting on the fact that the suckers buying the pristine, factory-sealed (but hot) merchandise, won't realize that until it's too late.
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..... how did they leave the store without being checked? Clearly something seems strange with this story.

Not sure but, Apple stores surely must have back doors for deliveries etc?..... anyone?

 

[gucciipad]

Very smart man. And the parts. And phones are sold. Black market.

 

[killawat]

Your move Ahrendts. Don't let your desire for pillowy tree lined stores dissuade you from exercising proper opsec. The safety of your employees (most important) and merch depends on it.

 

[RAV4Rich]

I guess the serial numbers will be deactivated and activating the devices will be impossible. So the thieves haven't really gained much.

Did you ever hear of parts?

 

[peterh988]

Not sure but, Apple stores surely must have back doors for deliveries etc?..... anyone?

Looking at my local Apple Store, if someone could get in the back and load an Apple bag with iPhones, they could walk onto the shop floor, pass them to an accomplice which would look to the casual observer as a member of staff giving a customer his goods, who could them walk out.

It wouldn't be that hard for the 'staff' to walk out at my place, being one of the mall sites with a full open front, no doors.

 

[ilovemyibook]

I guess the serial numbers will be deactivated and activating the devices will be impossible. So the thieves haven't really gained much.

No, they've gained something. They'll easily be able to sell it on the streets. A person will see that's it's still wrapped in factory packaging and will gladly give them whatever the thief wants to sell it for.

 

[Nunyabinez]

What seems off to me is that a while back there was a legal issue about the stores inspecting employee bags as they left the store. If I remember correctly Apple won the battle and continues the practice. So even if you get into the backroom (which already is a sign of something wrong), how did they leave the store without being checked? Clearly something seems strange with this story.

While I don't know for a fact, my impression was that this happens at shift changes. I doubt that they have someone at the door checking every entrance and exit, but I could be wrong.

 

[HallStevenson]

Looking at my local Apple Store, if someone could get in the back and load an Apple bag with iPhones, they could walk onto the shop floor, pass them to an accomplice which would look to the casual observer as a member of staff giving a customer his goods, who could them walk out.

It wouldn't be that hard for the 'staff' to walk out at my place, being one of the mall sites with a full open front, no doors.

You just gave some people an idea....
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Did you ever hear of parts?

I suspect that's simply too much work. As others have noted, sell them "new-in-box", still shrink-wrapped, to unsuspecting people ... or, ship them overseas.

 

[0007776]

I guess the serial numbers will be deactivated and activating the devices will be impossible. So the thieves haven't really gained much.

They'll sell them on craigslist, and disappear before the buyer realizes the new phone they bough doesn't work.

 

[NY Guitarist]

How do they get the merchandise out of the store though, I thought employee bags were being searched when they left the store?

 

[akadafni]

Let me guarantee you that Apple knows every single one of those serial numbers of devices that were taken. They have a very strict inventory control system. It's only a matter of time and Apple Loss Prevention are not ones to be trifled with.

This is very true. I know people who have been fired and arrested for stealing from Apple.

 

[Jimmy Bubbles]

This is very true. I know people who have been fired and arrested for stealing from Apple.

Same. I worked at a brand new retail store. The thieves broke in the very night that Steve Jobs passed away. It was a matter of time, but they got caught and arrested about a month later. All they essentially do is stage a sting operation.