Three men tunnel into Beijing warehouse, make off with $300,000 worth of iPhones
Police in Beijing have arrested three men accused of stealing 240 iPhone 6 units from a warehouse owned by a Chinese logistics firm after digging a 20-inch hole through the building's wall.
In a separate case, a man tried to smuggle 94 iPhones from Hong Kong to mainland China under his clothes.
The men --?one of whom was previously employed by the company as a driver --?used money gleaned from the devices' sale to gamble and purchase cars and gold, according to state-owned news agency Xinhua. The phones' serial numbers were used to track down the thieves, though it remains unclear what role they played.
Apple is widely expected to announce record sales for the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus in China later this month. Devices are still difficult to come by months after their release, though lead times are now measured in days, rather than weeks.
Another man was arrested at the Hong Kong border earlier this month after attempting to smuggle 94 iPhones into mainland China. Border guards were alerted after the man exhibited a "weird walking posture" while approaching the checkpoint at Futian, in Shenzhen.
So-called grey market iPhones remain in demand on the mainland, despite the proliferation of official Apple stores and other authorized dealers. Competition to acquire an iPhone is fierce due to the sheer number of potential buyers, and prices on the shelf tend to be higher than in other locales thanks to the significant luxury tax levied on foreign products by the Chinese government.
In a separate case, a man tried to smuggle 94 iPhones from Hong Kong to mainland China under his clothes.
The men --?one of whom was previously employed by the company as a driver --?used money gleaned from the devices' sale to gamble and purchase cars and gold, according to state-owned news agency Xinhua. The phones' serial numbers were used to track down the thieves, though it remains unclear what role they played.
Apple is widely expected to announce record sales for the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus in China later this month. Devices are still difficult to come by months after their release, though lead times are now measured in days, rather than weeks.
Another man was arrested at the Hong Kong border earlier this month after attempting to smuggle 94 iPhones into mainland China. Border guards were alerted after the man exhibited a "weird walking posture" while approaching the checkpoint at Futian, in Shenzhen.
So-called grey market iPhones remain in demand on the mainland, despite the proliferation of official Apple stores and other authorized dealers. Competition to acquire an iPhone is fierce due to the sheer number of potential buyers, and prices on the shelf tend to be higher than in other locales thanks to the significant luxury tax levied on foreign products by the Chinese government.
Comments
The Great Escape!
Nicely Done ????????
Welcome to the forum. There is an edit button (left side, under your comment) on this forum with no time limit.
Oceans 14?
srsly.
Stealing is wrong.... but this is pretty cool. I kind of have to respect the effort and ingenuity.
Wow those phones are expensive. 300,000 ÷ 240 = $1,250 each.
Android devices stolen in bulk is most likely accidental. There is no black market for Android devices.
Oceans 14?
Roboburgler
The Great Escape!
Transphoner
Love the iPhone armor.
Yeah, that's about the going rate on the black market for the genuine product. And to think some trolls complain about having to pay the "Apple tax."
Maybe it's because this is an Apple-focused site, but why don't we ever hear about Android-based devices specifically being sought after and stolen in bulk? I remember there was a truckload of BB devices stolen a few years back, but I think that was more of stealing the truck because it was a convenience heist, not because it contained Blackberries.
Welcome to the forum. There is an edit button (left side, under your comment) on this forum with no time limit.
People see only what they want to see.
A Truck Full Of 22,500 LG G2 Phones Gets Stolen in Indiana
on October 26, 2013 at 1:13 pm
According to a report, a truck which was containing 22,500 units of the LG’s flagship device, LG G2 was stolen on the way to its destination in Louisville.
A report from CNET confirms that the LG G2 phones in the truck were for an US carrier Sprint and was supposed to launch early next month. The phones were stolen at 6:30 PM on Thursday in Indiana, and LG representative confirmed the report, the driver left the truck for a bathroom break and when he was back the truck was missing.
The Indiana police was informed along with the FBI. The phones might not make there way all the way to India, but be aware if you find a cheap LG G2 somewhere!
Because nobody misses them.
If Samsung Galaxy S5's shipped to a warehouse were stolen from there, Samsung would gladly mark them as "sold through" instead of "shipped."
A Truck Full Of 22,500 LG G2 Phones Gets Stolen in Indiana
Originally Posted by cnocbui
People see only what they want to see.
The thieves had no idea what was in the truck.
It was later recovered with nothing missing except for the driver’s iPhone in the glovebox...
No, it's not cool. People will steal anything not locked down or electrified in China, given the opportunity. Theft of all kinds rampant.
The thieves had no idea what was in the truck.
It was later recovered with nothing missing except for the driver’s iPhone in the glovebox...
Could you provide a link please. I can find no reference to the iPhone. The multiple accounts I have read all just say there was one thief and that the truck was recovered four days later because he managed to crash it into a utility pole.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. —A Louisville man faces several charges in what police are calling a $12 million cellphone theft ring.
Kentucky State Police said Juan Perez Gonzalez, of Louisville, is charged with receiving stolen property over $10,000, leaving the scene of an accident, and theft by unlawful taking over $1,000,000.
Officers from several different agencies worked together after an Oct. 25 tip from the FBI. That’s when a large cargo theft had been reported in Gary, Ind.
More than $12 million worth of LG smartphones had been reported stolen and were later located in a 2014 Great Dane trailer.http://www.wlky.com/news/local-news/louisville-news/louisville-man-accused-in-12-million-cellphone-theft-ring/22676420
http://www.wdrb.com/story/23805744/police-louisville-man-stole-10-million-of-lg-cell-phone-cargo
http://www.myfoxchicago.com/story/23950724/thief-steals-truck-filled-with-12m-worth-of-smartphones
I wonder what kind of contract Apple has with its suppliers and warehouses regarding theft. Based on the contract for the GTAT Sapphire supplier, it's probably something like Apple is not responsible for payment of product until they are delivered to Apple, Apple Stores, or resellers.
The phones might not make there way all the way to India, but be aware if you find a cheap LG G2 somewhere!
Your "news" source does not know the difference between "there" and "their". I especially do not trust any journalists who do not know how to write and spell basic words.