The Secret World of Stolen iPhones: From London to Shenzhen!

The Secret World of Stolen iPhones: From London to Shenzhen!

More and more stolen iPhones are finding their way to Shenzhen, China, where they are traded in a huge shadow market. A Financial Times report traces the routes these stolen devices take from cities like London and New York to markets in Shenzhen. The Metropolitan Police in London estimate the annual damage caused by smartphone thefts to be almost 60 million euros. Thefts often occur on the street, as shown by the case of a London entrepreneur whose iPhone 15 Pro was stolen by thieves on e-bikes. In a police operation in February 2025, over 1,000 stolen cell phones were recovered and 230 people involved in these illegal activities were arrested.

Hong Kong has established itself as a central hub for the illegal iPhone trade. Stolen iPhones arrive there via airline luggage, courier services or cargo and are sorted in an industrial high-rise in Kwun Tong. The dealers categorize the devices depending on their status, distinguishing between those with or without an identification number. Although the trade in used smartphones is formally legal in Hong Kong, this legislation makes control more difficult.

Shenzhen's market, considered rough

In Shenzhen, especially in the Huaqiangbei district, stolen iPhones are often dismantled and sold for parts. A well-known location for this illegal trade is the Feiyang Times Building. Even iCloud-locked iPhones have a market value here because their individual parts can still be used. Merchants sometimes try to bypass iCloud lock by contacting the rightful owners.

Authorities in Shenzhen have responded to this problematic trade with raids and inspections, but the illegal market remains active. In this context, questions are also raised about electronic waste and the associated environmental consequences.

Recommendations for affected users

It is particularly important for users of iPhones and iPads to protect themselves immediately in the event of theft. Apple recommends putting your device into Lost Mode immediately. This prevents thieves from accessing it and protects the Apple account from unwanted changes. Access to iCloud.com/find is required to mark the affected device as lost. Enabling the Find My feature provides additional protection because without enabling the device, the device cannot be located or reported as lost.

In addition, users should change their Apple account password immediately and notify the local police. If the iPhone is insured with AppleCare+, it is important not to remove the device from the Apple Account until a claim is approved. It's also a good idea to notify your carrier about the incident to suspend the account and file a claim.

The trade in stolen iPhones remains a significant problem for manufacturers and law enforcement agencies. Both digital communication via platforms such as WeChat and WhatsApp and the lack of stricter controls promote this illegal market.

For more information on the recommended steps if an iPhone or iPad is stolen, please visit the official site Apple Support.

For additional information about Shenzhen's underground economy and the illegal trade in stolen iPhones, see the article by t3n.