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Thieves Snatch 300+ iPhone X Models From San Francisco Apple Store

I hear the spare parts market is pretty big for phones. I don’t think anyone steals phones to actually use/resell them because they all get deactivated. However a new screen or battery can cost hundreds on these new phones for repair.

Criminals always find a new way to hustle.
 
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Cloudkicker said:
Or Apple faked this for publicity.
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That's what I was thinking too. This story will be picked up by various news outlets and people will think because of the massive theft, it must be a must-have gadget. And it being on the news spreads awareness that the new iPhone is out.

If this is real, I do feel bad for whoever ends up buying these stolen goods, but at the same time, they should know better and buy directly from the source. I buy direct for peace of mind that it's not counterfeit or stolen.
 
vooke said:
Lost mode requires Apple ID and I’m certain none of the devices were activated and linked to any Apple ID
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It's required for normal users. The Apple ID is just a way of attaching a device to an account and allowing action(s) to be authorized by that account. Apple doesn't need to do that if it doesn't want to.
 
313 x $999 is a lot of money for a thief (if they manage to sell them all) and that is not including the 256gb model. I guess Apple needs to start their own delivery system.
 
Im not sure I believe apple disabling these. Sure they might have the batch number list but would they go through the trouble of trying to track these down? I would imagine them just taking the cut and going on with life. But I dont know how the internal security side of apple works with cases like this. I know its happened in the past.
Anybody actually know?
 
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Caliber26 said:
That took a lot of balls. I can’t help but wonder if perhaps the UPS driver was in on it, otherwise how could they know the exact time and place of this specific shipment? I’m glad these devices are useless to them.
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More likely that a former store employee was involved that knew the routine and timing of new product releases ...

I'm glad for the driver that they waited for him/her to leave instead of assaulting him/her.
 
drewyboy said:
You keep telling yourself that while Samsung Corp is enjoying their profits off Apple sales.
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They’ve doing that for a while.

Apple engineers the goods, samedung and others ‘converge’ on the design a bit later, notch and all.
 
just.jon said:
Bingo. The thieves will get their cash, but the poor schmucks that buy them will be stuck holding the bag.
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Seems mean spirited of Apple to punish their fans who didn’t know any better when they purchased the phone on eBay or wherever.
 
Caliber26 said:
That took a lot of balls. I can’t help but wonder if perhaps the UPS driver was in on it, otherwise how could they know the exact time and place of this specific shipment? I’m glad these devices are useless to them.
Click to expand...
there is app for that
 
threesixty360 said:
I hear the spare parts market is pretty big for phones. I don’t think anyone steals phones to actually use/resell them because they all get deactivated. However a new screen or battery can cost hundreds on these new phones for repair.

Criminals always find a new way to hustle.
Click to expand...

Yep, how much are Apple charging for replacement screens?

You could probably part an iPhone out for more than the phone itself costs. I know for a fact the little shop near me (wouldn't use him, but I've known him for a few years) just goes to Apple and buys phones every so often for parts. Crazy world we live in.
 
"Sell them for parts" Lol. No.

They'll be on the usual selling sites at a tiny mark up to make them appear more genuine. Still in the wrapper etc. People will hand over cash for them.

They aren't going to take them apart to make $300 for a screen.
 
life goes on, look at apples numbers yesterday they can afford 300 stolen iphones and more.
 
x-evil-x said:
Im not sure I believe apple disabling these. Sure they might have the batch number list but would they go through the trouble of trying to track these down? I would imagine them just taking the cut and going on with life. But I dont know how the internal security side of apple works with cases like this. I know its happened in the past.
Anybody actually know?
Click to expand...

Apple will know exactly which boxes were on that van, and the boxes are attached to serial numbers. Thus Apple will be able to easily identify all of the stolen devices.
 
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I feel sorry for the orginial receivers of these phones. Bad luck after managing to be an early adopter due to all the ordering challenges.
 
zorinlynx said:
Apple is probably going to block the stolen serial numbers on the activation servers.

The thieves will end up with 300 paperweights. I wish I could be a fly on the wall when they figure out their stolen booty is worthless!
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Disagree.
300 unsuspecting people that needed the iphone X right now will have paperweights.
 
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zorinlynx said:
Apple is probably going to block the stolen serial numbers on the activation servers.

The thieves will end up with 300 paperweights. I wish I could be a fly on the wall when they figure out their stolen booty is worthless!
Click to expand...

They are going to sell them as sealed units , brand new, buyers problem actually.
 
zorinlynx said:
Apple is probably going to block the stolen serial numbers on the activation servers.

The thieves will end up with 300 paperweights. I wish I could be a fly on the wall when they figure out their stolen booty is worthless!
Click to expand...
They'll sell them. The new "owners" will have the paperweights!
 
Topher227 said:
Why even bother.... short of parts, the devices would get Activation Locked...... like, the ultimate Activation Lock.
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They did not steal them to use , they will sell them in, buyer gets stuck with locked device - which in turn will becomes apples problem when they come on complaining ..... so not sure they will block them
 
I never get why thieves steal phones these days. They are mostly worthless once reported stolen. The serial numbers as mentioned will be blocked and the IMEI numbers will also be blocked on the networks rendering the phones useless.

I suppose you could sell them for spares or maybe through craigslist or eBay to an unsuspecting buyer but it's just all junk now. Morons.
 
Kinda feel bad for those that buy these stolen phones but you deserve what you get when buying from a questionable source.
 
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