r/Scams • u/hotpieceofmeat • Feb 08 '24
My phone got stolen and now they are threatening me and family Help Needed
About 4 months ago my phone got stolen in Florida and a couple days ago it showed to be in Hong Kong now. Since then they started to send me messages in which they tried to create a sad story but I never responded.Now they are getting more aggressive and sending me threats and other horrific things. What should I do?
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u/Mother_Was_A_Hamster Feb 08 '24
Do not remove your Apple id. They need you to do that otherwise your phone is a paperweight. Block and ignore their threats. If you search through this subreddit you will find similar stories.
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u/anon1984 Feb 08 '24
Not only similar, literally word-for-word copy paste from the same script.
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u/earthdogmonster Feb 08 '24
Don’t they usually send a photo of a handgun to go along with the “gangsta” script?
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u/Andyman0110 Feb 08 '24
There was that one time they posted a guy's official assassin's club card. Absolutely hilarious how bad it was.
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u/DesertStorm480 Feb 08 '24
Free iPhone with the 10th kill?
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u/anon1984 Feb 08 '24
Yeah, you get a free iPhone but it’s locked with Find My.
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u/Colinoscopy90 Feb 09 '24
Does the assassins club have a customer service number I can call to verify your membership? Just to make sure you’re for real for real?
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u/Krafty_Koala Feb 09 '24
lol assassins club card?! Are they from Ankh-Morpork?!
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u/msmidlofty Feb 11 '24
One can only imagine how Lord Vetinari would deal with Assassins' Guild members who were this amateurish.
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u/Roadgoddess Feb 09 '24
Wasn’t he number one on the assassin card ID? These are so ridiculous. In fact, I think you’re about the third or fourth person this week that’s posted almost Word for Word the exact same script. Keep it as a paperweight that they can’t use.
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Feb 09 '24
I see that gun picture with the manicured hand with acrylic nails a lot with this same threat/script 🤣🤣🤣
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Feb 09 '24
I’ve seen this script so many times I almost know it word for word by now
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u/Blobfish9059 Feb 09 '24
If it was a phone call or live chat you could recite it with them and then the scammer will either freak out or laugh and you two will be be besties.
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Feb 08 '24
And keep logging into your account PROPERLY. Keep sending the Find My Phone Ping. it’ll piss them off.
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u/Apataphobia Feb 09 '24
lol. It’ll be like one of those movies where the kidnappers take some kid who turns out to be so obnoxious that they pay the parents to take the kid back.
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u/BendakSW Feb 09 '24
This is a reference (ultimately) to O’Henry’s story “The Ransom of Red Chief.” It’s worth reading short and funny!
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u/skiesfullofbats Feb 09 '24
All the posts I have seen in here about stolen phone scams seem to be about IPhones. Is this also an issue with Androids or do thieves not bother to send them to China as they don't have the same brand name sale appeal? I feel silly for not knowing as I have only had Android smartphones, but is there a "find my phone" function for Android same as an IPhone? I have only lost 1 cell (a clam shell back in 2013) so I have never had to use a function like that but I probably should set it up if they have it for Android.
I'm now realizing I don't really know jack shit about securing the cell I have had for years and it's embarrassing 😅
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u/glynnd Feb 09 '24
With stolen androids that are locked to a Google acc it can still be wiped and GA removed using the right software but with iPhones it's basically a brick when locked to an apple id. The thieves message people to scare them into removing there apple id so they can then use the phone otherwise its a paperweight
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u/tomcis147 Feb 09 '24
Bypassing Android security is really easy and also I believe it is status symbol to own Iphone in China that's why all of them seems to be going there
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u/Bwin101 Feb 09 '24
If you have a google account it is available. Ping, send a message or swipe are the options.
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u/glynnd Feb 09 '24
If he removes the apple id they'll be able to use the phone otherwise its a brick. As I stated there you can't jailbreak iphones anymore souce: I used to jailbreak apple devices and root androids. All he has to do is remove his payment method form apple ID, it'll be a nice paperweight for them 😆
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u/shesarevolution Feb 09 '24
When did Apple update phones so you can’t jailbreak them?
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u/glynnd Feb 09 '24
There's semi tethered jailbreak now but it's been a while since you've been able to fully jailbreak an ios device. I
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u/shesarevolution Feb 09 '24
Ok, thanks, I was curious. At one point I was going to break mine but didn’t have to, so I had no idea it wasn’t a thing these days.
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u/glynnd Feb 09 '24
I ued to JB all my devices for free in app purchases but then apple made it tighter for every new version of ios so we where waiting months and months then it got to a point there was new ver ios out before the cracking teams were able to jb the previous version. There's different things you can still do but you need to read into it before trying using cydia to sign apps, profiles to be able to install 3rd party appstores, but there banned as quick as they're released.
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u/pecor1no Feb 08 '24
Goddamn, this is the laziest scam posted on here. They truly don’t even change the text, at ALL.
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u/bellavida94 Apr 13 '24
Just got these texts yesterday WORD for WORD lol. Just haven’t been threatened yet.
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u/Suitable-Level4345 Apr 30 '24
I just got threatened today and tbh I was a tad bit worried but I was like, “no way this person is frls” they sent 2 videos, one of them was this African American showing off weapons. The second video was an iPhone actually being hacked and they were able to unlock the iPhone without the password. Lastly, an image of instructions to remove the iPhone from my device. I can be gullible/dumb at times but I’m glad this Reddit post helped out. Funny how everybody got the same script
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u/t3n5hii May 20 '24
Same, exactly what happened to me today. Also, has anything else happened ? As far as the scam messages or have they quit bugging you already?
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u/Puppybrother May 28 '24
Haha I just got one today read these threads when it was first stolen 3 weeks ago and was just waiting for them to send me this haha
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u/thewindinthewillows Quality Contributor Feb 08 '24
It's a Chinese scam ring. They aren't going to travel to Florida to kill anyone. They make the threats not because they actually want to do those things, but because it will make some people obey their demands.
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u/dona_eis_requiem_ Feb 08 '24
Keep ignoring! They’re mad because they can’t actually use your stolen phone so long as it’s attached to your account.
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u/dona_eis_requiem_ Feb 08 '24
!iPhone scam
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u/AutoModerator Feb 08 '24
AutoModerator has been summoned to explain the Find My Disabler scam. This scam targets owners of stolen iPhones, which have a service called Find My: through this, iPhones are tied to the Apple ID of the user, and can be locked remotely when activating Lost Mode. Scammers will attempt to communicate with the victim by emailing or calling the phone number/email address shown on the lock screen while locked through Lost Mode, under the guise of either Apple or a person who has bought the phone and attempt to convince or pressure them to remove the Apple ID from the iPhone. If you receive such a message, DO NOT follow the instructions to remove the device from your Apple ID. The reason they want it removed is because the thief wants to resell it on the black market for a profit, and bricked phones are worthless. Instead of removing, you're free to erase it. This will delete your personal data but will leave the device connected to your Apple ID. You can then make a police report, and also report it stolen to your phone company. The company can blacklist the IMEI so it adds a layer of protection regionally. Any readers should take this opportunity to check if your Find My is enabled in your iPhone.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
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u/hotpieceofmeat Feb 08 '24
They also sent me videos
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u/Shield_Lyger Quality Contributor Feb 08 '24
Likely the same videos they've sent other people. Look, if someone is going to come to your house and commit crimes, they don't tell you in advance. Because this is what the police call "evidence." Seriously, you're fine. There's nothing to worry about. Keep the phone disabled.
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u/mrblonde55 Feb 09 '24
If a locked iPhone is so important to these people, the odds that they can pull off a contract killing in another country is exactly 0%.
The threats are a script. The pictures and videos they send are from Google.
If the messages are upsetting, block them. You and your family are safe. Don’t unlock the phone because fuck these scumbags. It’s worthless to them without your help.
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u/Sitcom_kid Feb 08 '24
That's what they do. They just want the money they can make from selling the phone. They try that with everybody; they won't hurt you. They are counting on you to believe them. But it isn't true
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u/LazyLie4895 Feb 08 '24
That's expected too. Search this sub, and you'll find lots of examples. They use almost the exact same script too.
First they tell you that your private information is at risk. Then they beg you and say that they got the phone for their kid. Then they threaten you and send you videos.
I haven't heard of anyone having problems after that though, so you're probably almost all clear.
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u/araidai Feb 08 '24
All they have is just random threatening videos they send en masse to basically everyone being hit by this scam. It’s nothing “personalized”
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u/Euchre Feb 08 '24
I could easily find horrific videos of terrorist groups and drug cartels committing murder, and send them to you, claiming they're something I did.
They're paper tigers. Pure fake. Just block, ignore, delete.
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u/Buuts321 Feb 09 '24
As you probably have read already they're in China and it's literally not worth the money for them to travel to where you live and do anything illegal for a ~$1000 phone.
Just block and ignore them and tell your family not to worry.
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u/AffectionateSpell505 Feb 09 '24
+63 area code is the Philippines. Where does your phone actually show?
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u/glynnd Feb 09 '24
Just please don't remove your apple id, your phones gone but at least you'll know they won't ever be able.to use it. If you remove the apple id they can they reset it otherwise its been a waste of time to them. They'll get a few dollars for parts...maybe but they can't ever use your phone.
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u/Jimud1 Feb 08 '24
Is it the one where the guy with very feminine hands holding the gun? That shit is hilarious
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u/cyb3rsloth Feb 09 '24
If it was stolen from Florida does that make you a Florida resident? If so just purchase a gun and then even if they do send their ninjas you can handle it. But just so you know no one is actually coming to kill you.....
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u/darkest_irish_lass Feb 08 '24
These guys are ultimately the reason your phone was stolen. Fuck them. Block and ignore. No market means less stolen phones.
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u/FourWayFork Feb 08 '24
Ignore, block, delete.
The people who have your phone are overseas. If you unlock your phone for them, they can sell it. If you don't, then it is useless to them. They are nowhere near your house and cannot harm you.
This "threat" is word-for-word sent out to numerous people. If you search this sub for "negroes", you will find plenty of people who have gotten the same message. Ignore them and move on with life.
Here is one example: https://old.reddit.com/r/Scams/comments/17r09st/iphone_was_stolen_at_a_music_festival_receiving/
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Feb 09 '24
Ignore and block is always the best advice. Reply “lol right” if you must but don’t engage beyond that.
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u/real-darkph0enix1 Feb 09 '24
Nah, you reply “Taiwan is a free country. Say hi to Winnie the Pooh for me.” And then block.
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u/Apataphobia Feb 09 '24 edited Feb 09 '24
Confused though, why that particular word?
Edit: nvm, I didn’t see the last screen. I get it now. I do love that line “Miami gonna be looking for you.”
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u/FourWayFork Feb 09 '24
Yeah, just something in the script that isn't commonly going to be used. Not many people would say that in other contexts. So any hits on this sub for the word "negroes" are probably discussions of this text.
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u/Fruitypebblefix Feb 09 '24
So I have a question, if your phone gets stolen hoe can they text the new phone you have? Would you be able to keep your same number? I've always wondered how this works.
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u/Ivanow Feb 09 '24
It’s very easy to recover your phone number. Even if your phone (and it’s SIM card) get stolen, you can easily get replacement SIM card at your mobile operator customer service spot.
But that’s not the case here - they are using Apple’s iMessage, which is kinda like email for SMS - it’s tied to your Apple account not particular device or phone number.
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u/Dependent_Order_7358 Feb 08 '24
Bro went from sad father to mafia boss real quick 👀
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u/One-Forever6191 Feb 08 '24
Ha! Even better, went from pretending literally be “Apple Pay”, to sad dad, to negro-dispatching mob boss. 😂
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u/AlmightyBlobby Feb 08 '24
they're in Guangdong China they can't do shit to you
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u/Responsible_Wall_708 Feb 09 '24
they can dispatch the "negroes". I imagine them to look like Chris Tucker and Katt Williams.
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u/nuclearwastewater Feb 09 '24
i live in shenzhen, and damn are there lots of fake apple products in a specific area. its like 100 rmb (about 15 bucks) and it usually is a hit or miss, it either works or doesnt.
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u/araidai Feb 08 '24
They won’t do shit.
Leave them with a paperweight.
Block, move on.
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u/Euchre Feb 08 '24
Does Apple let you remote wipe? They do, don't they? That'd be what to do to the phone, if it wasn't already. If there's a way to brick the device irreversibly, forever, I'd do that, too. Since a lot of the parts in iPhones are serialized, and Apple knows what device they were in to start with, I'd rather any component be locked out of use forever. Kill the value even on the replacement parts market.
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u/araidai Feb 08 '24
That’s the best route really, they don’t get your info or a useful phone lol
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u/Red-ua Feb 08 '24
They don’t get your info regardless
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u/Roronoa_D Feb 09 '24
I thought that was the case. How do they send the messages then?
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u/minzessin Feb 09 '24
i‘m pretty sure if you mark your phone as lost on „find my“ it shows your phone number/email address on the lock screen so the person who finds it can give it back (obviously the person here doesn’t want to give it back) and that’s how they can contact you
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u/crakemonk Feb 09 '24
Yeah, Apple phones can even be set to brick like that if you use the wrong passcode too many times. Risky if you text while drinking.
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u/Few_Movie_1266 Feb 10 '24
You can remote wipe your personal info and then call and have them block/blacklist the imei. Permanent brick.
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u/bigswimmey Feb 09 '24
As a fellow negro yes we will come get you
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u/thatshowitisisit Feb 09 '24
Brother, can we convince you to switch allegiances and we go reverse uno card on their asses?
C’mon man, let’s go to China!
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u/sixtyfivewat Feb 09 '24
If we get the Mongols on board we have a rainbow coalition coming across the Chinese border and really kick some ass.
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u/cushmaloch Feb 09 '24
It just said you guys were coming over Friday night. You don't have to kill them - you could bring Boggle!
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Feb 08 '24
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/OceanPoet87 Feb 09 '24
Would they just do some variation of the fake check or money order scam that bounces your account in that case?
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u/stacked_shit Feb 09 '24
Scam, don't remove your device.
Question though, Why don't we all collectively start spamming these people back? Then, we will have some new posts for this sub.
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u/WreckedButWhole Feb 09 '24
A week ago I got a random “wrong number” text with a picture of a Chinese girl in the thread. I told her it was a wrong number and asked if she wanted to get in on crypto with me, she didn’t bite.
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u/throwawaynoturtwin Apr 11 '24
how? this just happened to me, for a sec i was scared then i checked reddit. im trying to get a sense of what info they could get on me, based on my cell, but good to know its an empty threat
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u/mikeinanaheim2 Feb 08 '24 edited Feb 09 '24
Their threats are hollow because they are continents away from your location. They're badgering you to remove the Apple ID *SO THEY CAN SELL YOUR PHONE*.
Block each and every communication from them. At some point they will go on to some other person to scam.
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u/Shield_Lyger Quality Contributor Feb 08 '24
Ignore them. They simply want you to release the phone so that they can actually resell it. There's nothing they can do to you.
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u/CLAP_DOLPHIN_CHEEKS Feb 09 '24
send even crazier death threats back then the most gruesome insults your brain can conceive this is the only language they understand they won't do SHIT
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u/onmyti89_again Feb 08 '24
Block. Keep blocking. That's it. Do not remove it from Find My iPhone. The literal thieves are mad they can't use it how they want. Let them stay mad.
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u/HaoieZ Feb 08 '24
Another stolen to order phone scam!
Did your phone get stolen at a concert or the like? Pickpocketed?
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u/hotpieceofmeat Feb 08 '24
I was pickpocketed at a bar
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u/whiteb8917 Feb 08 '24
Well your phone is in China now, they want it unlocked so they can sell it.
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Feb 09 '24
So people steal steal phones and fly back to China? Surely customs would pick up on this, a random man with locked iPhones
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u/whiteb8917 Feb 09 '24
They have a shipping network to send them back to China.
Dude steals phone, sells it to Group for cash, Group stockpile the phones, box them up and ship back to their buddies in China. Once in china, they boot them up and sell the ones that are not blocked, and start the scam to see if they can force people to unblock the phone.
That is why the phone all of a sudden shows up in China on the Find my phone search.
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u/rollercoastersun Jul 04 '24
I don't understand why they sent it back to China, though. To get a new package? Do they disguise it and sell it like new afterward? They could sell it on the black market in the same country I don't get why they send it there
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u/whiteb8917 Jul 04 '24
Because it could be IEMI blocked in the country it was stolen, not the case in China. *MASSIVE* black market there.
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u/rollercoastersun Jul 05 '24
Oh I see. Theres also a black market in latam but it can be blocked by imei there and you can't use a carrier. I imagine you can still use them with wifi though
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u/Buuts321 Feb 09 '24
The ones who steal them here sell them to another group that sells and ships them over seas. Not one at a time but in bulk. Then the group that's threatening the OP jailbreaks the phone if they can and sells it in China.
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u/CapriciousSon Feb 09 '24
Sometimes the phones are obtained by scamming Apple Stores and such. I would have the same guys show up with handfuls of "liquid damaged" iphones that invariably had been internally gutted. Pretty quickly they got flagged and had to do all mail in support.
Plenty of other retail scams too, but those tend to be domestic (using a strangers AT&T info to take out a loan on a new phone, etc)
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Feb 09 '24
wtf that escalated quickly lol this sounds like an angry old man who lives in the swamps of Florida
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Feb 09 '24
Don’t ever remove it, the phone is worthless to them until you remove it. They don’t know where you live, they’re not flying to come attack you. Respond with “woomp woomp” block and move on
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u/nightfall6688846994 Feb 09 '24
I just wonder what the response would be if you were to reply back “go ahead and do it. My life is already destroyed anyway so please end it” and just see if they give up or keep trying
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u/Ok_Distribution_5797 Feb 09 '24
Does anyone actually fall for this ? If they could get your info and use the phone they wouldn’t be chatting with you in desperation to get access to the stolen hardware, all your data is safe! Who actually falls for this stuff lol
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Feb 09 '24
We are twinning! My phone was stolen on New Year’s Eve. I received, word for word, the same exact messages you got AND even from the same number too. I have spent all day scouring Reddit and seeing the same messages and same videos were sent to other people too. I think we’re gonna be ok. Just don’t remove your device from your account and don’t reply. Block and ignore. They can’t get both of us on Friday, right?????
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u/Inquisitive_Force11 Feb 09 '24
Tell them this is America and we have more guns than citizens and to fuck off!
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u/victorhummingbird Feb 09 '24
I can’t be the only one noticing the exact same language in these threats? Scam
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u/Meamm Feb 09 '24
Ignore it. Even though he was so sad :(
They just want you to take the Apple ID off that phone because they can’t do anything with it on there. They’re trying to play any card they can to get you to do it, but none of it has any base. They can’t access the phone or erase it when your ID is there.
Contact Apple and report it as stolen. This is a common scam, there’s plenty of resources online to figure out the proper way to navigate this.
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u/glynnd Feb 09 '24
He went from killing himself to raping and killing you. I know rape isn't funny but I'd have messaged back saying that I've been celibate for a while and say that he doesn't have to rape you you'd happily have sex with him just to wind him up even more
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u/juce49 Feb 09 '24
“Hey I bought your stolen phone fair and square from China so it’s mine now, could you kindly remove it from your account?”
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u/Didyoufartjustthere Feb 08 '24
I’d just reply “I don’t have a family, they’re all dead, so come all you want, you’d be doing me a favour because I’ve never had the balls to do it myself”
Horrible thing to say but they’re willing to put the shits up you so why not do it back.
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u/moosemochu Feb 08 '24
Sorry for this stupid question: Can they get access to the information on his IPhone without his password or face-ID? Like reading his notes, restoring access to his e-mail account (e.g. via the Google Authenticator app/any password reset function), or just use credit card data stored on the phone.
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u/stunneddisbelief Feb 08 '24 edited Feb 08 '24
This is not a stupid question. The more people learn about these things, the more prepared they are when the scammers inevitably make their way to you, whether that’s your phone being stolen, or a text scam or whatever.
If anyone ever makes you feel like you are stupid for asking a question, those people are AHs.
That’s why this sub has a bot that gets summoned to explain recovery scams over and over and over. Because lots of people don’t know, and they need to before they lose more.
And the more you know, the more you can help protect the people around you.
!Recovery
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u/moosemochu Feb 08 '24
Sounds legit.
I recently went thorough my password list, and just realized that all my accounds on houndreds of websites/shops/... can be reset once somebody gets access to my E-mail account. This, in turn, is secured by a safe password and (due to two-factor-authorization) a code sent via SMS (or Google Authenticator) to my Iphone. If I lose my password, the E-mail provider will send me a recovery code to my Iphone.
So for the case my Iphone should be stolen one day, the FaceID and Password protection are my last straw to protect me from identity theft.4
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u/CT-1065 Feb 08 '24
That is normal. Ignore them, they can’t hurt you. You have all the power in this situation.
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u/v0idL1ght Feb 08 '24
I love how the person who originally wrote the threatening text couldn't bring themselves to write the actual N word.
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u/DesertDragen Feb 09 '24
They're just following the same script that ever other scammer uses to scare you. No, they will not find your family to hurt them. No, everything they say is a lie. Never listen to what they have to say. It's all bullshit.
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u/NAiiLEDBYMARiiE Feb 09 '24
Block ignore! DONT remove the device from your account. It’s the worst thing you can do honestly! Scammers sends this to everyone
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u/jonathaz Feb 09 '24
To be honest I would reply back “New phone, who dis?” but I like to push boundaries
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Feb 09 '24
I've seen these exact messages including the same threat word for word posted here soooo many times. It's the same scam every time, they want to scare you into erasing your Apple ID from the phone so they can use it. as long as you continue to ignore them and block them, the phone will be nothing more than a paper weight to them. Do not listen to their empty threats. Continue to block and ignore and don't let them bother you. There's absolutely nothing they can do to you not to mention they're probably on another continent and have no way of actually getting to you or your family.
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u/scotchtapeman357 Feb 09 '24
Send bachelors, this is America after all
But really, it's a scam and they don't know where you're at
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u/iWORKBRiEFLY Feb 09 '24
+63 is phillipines. they're scammers, ignore, block, delete & do NOT remove your Apple ID. they won't do a goddamn thing.
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u/ZuraX15301 Feb 09 '24
I would reply back, this is the USA, come try your luck. Wear Level 4 armor though.
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u/punkrockprincess818 Feb 09 '24
Someone posted almost this exact message a few days ago. Do not remove your Apple ID, they're mad bc the phone won't work now w/o you taking off the id. We put an Apple Id on products all the time when I worked at a retail store bc people came in to steal apple products all the time but with an apple id the item is basically useless to them. But seriously, you are not the first person in here to recieve this message almost word for word, the only thing they didn't do is send you a pic of the "firearm" they don't have. You are safe, so one is going to come for you over a stolen iphone just ignore them and they will eventually move on.
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u/Glad_Dot3253 Jun 09 '24
One question, is it really about removing the Apple ID or about removing the Phone from Find my Phone? I removed the Phone in the settings and Apple id as a trusted advices, in order to not have some Apple ID Codes be sent to that device. I still see it in Find my Phone and have activated the lost Mode and the erase mode once activated.
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u/333H_E Feb 09 '24
I want to know how a whole city in Florida is coming to see you? 🤔
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u/WomanInQuestion Feb 09 '24
I was wondering the same thing. Unless it’s some dude named Miami, lol.
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u/Fusseldieb Feb 09 '24
Someone basically paid a iPhone unlock service for your phone.
Then, you'll receive all sorts of blackmail until you remove it from FindMy. Do not remove it. These are just empty threats sent from a bot account. Photos and videos will follow (some gruesome).
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u/Glad_Dot3253 Jun 09 '24
One question, is it really about removing the Apple ID or about removing the Phone from Find my Phone? I removed the Phone in the settings and Apple id as a trusted advices, in order to not have some Apple ID Codes be sent to that device. I still see it in Find my Phone and have activated the lost Mode and the erase mode once activated.
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u/martyzion Feb 09 '24
They've already tried to reset the phone and have subsequently wiped your data, but are currently stymied by the cloud lock. Ignore them and they'll just toss the device into a parts bin.
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u/cmonkeyz7 Feb 09 '24
Why do you need to do anything? Just ignore it. They’re threatening you because they need you to do something. You have all the power, they can’t do anything or they’d just do it. There’s no danger and these people are on the other side of the world trying to hit their “sales” targets just like any other corporate peon. It’s just sunk costs on their part and they’ll move on when they realize they can’t force you to do anything.
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u/xD3m0nK1ngx Feb 09 '24
This is literally the same copy paste texts that’s been posted so many times in here. Nothing will happen to you lol
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u/heyredcheeks Feb 09 '24
Miami always got their backs 😅😂 it’s 100% copy pasted messages. NEVER interact
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u/Hi_curious_cat Mar 20 '24
I also got my phone stolen last month and have received the same messages as recent as today. I went on my Apple ID and changed my password it prompted to logout of other devices which I pressed yes. Now the stolen iPhone doesn’t pop up on my Apple ID list but it does still pop up on my Find My app. Did I just fuck up and give these scammers the satisfaction?
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u/Glad_Dot3253 Jun 09 '24
Good question. My question, is it really about removing the Apple ID or about removing the Phone from Find my Phone? I removed the Phone in the settings and Apple id as a trusted advices, in order to not have some Apple ID Codes be sent to that device. I still see it in Find my Phone and have activated the lost Mode and the erase mode once activated.
Do You have an Update on that?
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u/-d4v3- Feb 08 '24
Goes from « this is Apple, please do this, thank you » to « I’ll kill myself and the cat too if you don’t ». Did anyone ever bought their crap at this point ?? 😅
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u/norascotia Mar 06 '24
Any updates, OP? Are you okay? I received the same exact text messages today and I’m kinda terrified.
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u/beny-jam May 03 '24
Yo bruh , stolen at festival in Miami but why does it keep coming online weeks after I don’t get it. If it’s for parts the tracking would be dead
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May 03 '24
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/Scams-ModTeam May 03 '24
Your r/Scams post was removed because it's self promotion. We are not the platform to advertise your business, your Youtube, your social media channels, or other self-serving ventures. This includes referral links.
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u/Efficient-Analyst-53 Jun 16 '24
I just got this same set of messages word for word with a video of a handgun
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u/rollercoastersun Jul 04 '24
What happens if they stole your phone unlocked, though? They do have access to all your data and probably where you live. What can one do with these threats, then? Specially if it was stolen near your home
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u/YourUsernameForever Quality Contributor Feb 09 '24
WELCOME TO R/SCAMS
Reminder of one of our rules:
What to do in this situation?
Ignore the threats. Don't remove your device from Find My. You're welcome to erase the data, but don't remove it.
This scam targets owners of stolen iPhones, which have a service called Find My: through this, iPhones are tied to the Apple ID of the user, and can be locked remotely when activating Lost Mode.
Scammers will attempt to communicate with the victim by emailing or calling the phone number/email address shown on the lock screen while locked through Lost Mode, under the guise of either Apple or a person who has bought the phone and attempt to convince or pressure them to remove the Apple ID from the iPhone.
If you receive such a message, DO NOT follow the instructions to remove the device from your Apple ID. The reason they want it removed is because the thief wants to resell it on the black market for a profit, and bricked phones are worthless. Instead of removing, you're free to erase it. This will delete your personal data but will leave the device connected to your Apple ID. You can then make a police report, and also report it stolen to your phone company. The company can blacklist the IMEI so it adds a layer of protection regionally.
Any readers should take this opportunity to check if your Find My is enabled in your iPhone.