Without a doubt, I’m sure you’re aware of the ongoing George Floyd protests that have cut across most cities in the US, and a few other countries across the world. Certainly, the protests were intended to be peaceful. However, a lot of violent opportunists have hijacked them, causing damages and looting businesses across the US. With Apple stores being one of the top targets, lots of items, including high-end products have been looted so far. Well, there’s one big problem! And that is, most of these looted products, including iPhones, are already bricked and being tracked.
Looted iPhones Bricked And Being Tracked
Shortly after the killing of George Floyd, thousands of people took to the streets to protest against the wicked act by the police. Initially, the protests were meant to be peaceful. However, a lot of violent opportunists took advantage of the solidarity movement and started looting high-end retail stores. So far, a lot of high-end products have been looted away from Apple during the protests.
Well, this is not the first time Apple will be a target for thieves. Let’s put looting aside, theft of high-end products like iPhones have been happening in several Apple stores for many years.
And in a way to render the products useless for the thieves, Apple put a system in place, which enables it to remotely brick and track all its looted/stolen devices.
Last year, some thieves broke into an Apple retail store and stole items worth $300,000 in Perth, Australia. However, Apple later bricked and tracked all the looted products, including iPhones.
Now, reports have it that most of the looted products, including iPhones were bricked and already being tracked by Apple. According to some users on social media, there’s a warning message that displays on the looted iPhones, asking that the devices be returned.
The message validates the claims that the looted iPhones are already bricked and being tracked by Apple. Let’s have a quick look at the displayed warning message below:
“Please return to Apple Walnut Street. This device has been disabled and is being tracked. Local authorities will be alerted.”
My Advice
With the action taken by Apple, only a few looters will be able to make use of items looted away from the stores. These kinds of people include those that took accessories, including cases and other items that have no tracking serial number.
So, in case you see any iPhones being sold online at a very cheap price, you might want to stay away from them.
