A $200,000 iPhone scam and a subway fight in the Apple Crime Blotter

The latest in an occasional AppleInsider series, looking at the world of Apple-related crime.

Woman charged with taking over $200,000 worth of iPhones

A New York woman was brought up on federal charges on February 10 for fraudulently obtaining over $200,000 worth of iPhones.

According to the statement by the U.S. Attorney for New Jersey, the scheme entailed obtaining replacement phones from an insurance company by falsely assuming the identities of wireless customers and filing false claims. The phones were then shipped via UPS and FedEx.

The woman was charged with one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft.

Man sentenced to 33 months in Best Buy laptop scam

In late January, a New York man became the second person sentenced in connection with a scam involving a false credit line at Best Buy locations in Louisiana.

The Department of Justice's statement reveals the two defendants flew from New York to Louisiana in June of 2019 and opened a $4,000 line of credit at a Best Buy in Baton Rouge. However, the two men were denied in their attempt to purchase a MacBook Pro and were later arrested.

The second man has been sentenced to 33 months in prison after pleading guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft.

Michigan businessmen charged with scheme involving stolen iPhones

Federal prosecutors have brought charges against a pair of businessmen in suburban Detroit in connection with a scheme that involved the fencing of stolen iPhones and money laundering by a Detroit street gang.

The Detroit News reports the charges resulted from a six-year investigation, and the reporter described "a black market scheme involving suburban businessmen, a violent Detroit street gang, secret cash payments inside a liquor store and an international pipeline of stolen electronics."

Man arrested for role in Capitol riot texted ex-girlfriend, who turned him in

In late February, a Pennsylvania man was charged for his role in the January 6 Capitol riot, turned in by his former girlfriend. The criminal complaint states the man texted the woman from the Capitol.

The complaint says the man sent photos, videos, and messages — including one stating "if you can't see the election was stolen you're a moron." The woman later provided information about the man's device and telephone number.

In photos that surfaced of the man from that day, he appeared to be holding up an iPhone. He was charged with knowingly entering a restricted building, violent entry, and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds.

Police used iPad to track Ludacris' stolen Mercedes

In late January, rapper and actor Chris "Ludacris" Bridges had his Mercedes-Benz stolen in his hometown of Atlanta, after the performer left the car running as he went to an ATM.

According to local news station 11 Alive, police attempted to track down the stolen car using Find My iPhone, following the rapper's iPad. Police found Ludacris' iPad, MacBook, and two Louis Vuitton bags, albeit in a different car.

The Mercedes was later found at a different location, later the same day.

Teenager fell on subway tracks while fighting iPhone thief

A teenager in New York City fought back against a pair of iPhone thieves and ended up falling between two subway cars. The New York Daily News reports the 17-year-old was on a train in Brooklyn when someone asked him for directions. When he produced his iPhone, the man grabbed it and ran.

The teen then chased the thief and an accomplice through the train, although at one point, he fell between two cars onto the tracks below. The victim was helped back onto the platform by an MTA employee and was taken to a local hospital.

More arrests in connection with 2020's Netherlands iPhone thefts

People are still getting arrested for allegedly having a role in a major heist in March 2020, involving millions of euros worth of iPhones from Schipol Airport in Amsterdam. Police made 11 arrests on February 22 connected with the 18.5 million-euro theft and a similar, separate theft from the same airport.

According to Dutch News, searches of homes and businesses throughout the Netherlands turned up both the stolen phones and massive amounts of cash.

Man arrested before flight for stealing Apple Watches

A man from Florida was arrested in mid-February on charges that he stole Apple Watches from a Walmart in Louisiana. WCJB reports the 43-year-old attempted to board a plane to Florida but was caught before taking off.

At the time of his arrest, authorities found "a multitude of Apple products" in his bag, including iPads and AirPods.

Australian "footy WAG" pleads guilty to 2015 iPhone theft

A swimwear designer who is also known as the girlfriend of an Australian Rules Football star has pled guilty to stealing an iPhone 6 from a carwash in 2015. The Queensland Times writes the theft was in retaliation for the carwash having scratched the woman's black Porsche.

The woman founded a successful swimwear line that's known to be favored by the Kardashians, but her attorney described her as "a single mother whose business was operating at a loss due to COVID."

Man arrested for using iPhone, Apple Watch to peep on women

Police say a Florida convenience store clerk was arrested after he was caught using an iPhone hidden under a bathroom sink and a connected Apple Watch to take photographs of women. CBS 17 reports the man was caught when one woman found the phone in the bathroom, unlocked it, and found the pictures on it.

When police arrived, the clerk first claimed his phone had been stolen, but then the authorities found a picture of him on the phone. The clerk was charged with video voyeurism.

Restaurant offers free meal in return for stolen iPad

In Malaysia, a Vegan restaurant that had its iPad stolen in early February is offering a free meal to the thief, provided he returns the device and apologizes.

"We are urgently looking for this thief who entered our restaurant and stole our iPad. If anyone knows him, please ask him to contact us and return our iPad, and we will consider not reporting the case to the police," explains World of Buzz.

Red iPhone with $2 bill helped bust accused jewelry store thief

A Delaware man was arrested for carrying out three different robberies of jewelry stores in New Jersey. Part of what got him caught was a distinctive iPhone case.

According to Delaware Online, witnesses present at more than one of the robberies noticed the robber was carrying "a red iPhone with a $2 bill stuck in a translucent case," along with a specific Lacoste beanie. The man is suspected of similar robberies in other states.

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