Street‑side thieves increasingly use scooters and e‑bikes to snatch iPhones while owners walk, turning a simple theft into a lucrative operation. The tactic lets robbers capture unlocked devices, which can fetch up to $800 more on the black market.

London’s Met Police recorded 230 arrests in a single week during a crackdown that recovered over a thousand phones. Police shifted tactics, allowing officers to use “tactical contact” to dislodge thieves from their bikes after earlier safety concerns stalled pursuits.

Experts warn that the value difference stems from unlocked phones granting access to banking apps and personal data. Will Lyne, head of economic and cybercrime at Met, cited a case where four men handled 5,000 stolen phones and drained accounts. A locked phone sells for $50‑$200; unlocked, it can reach $1,000.

Phishing kits like iRealm enable buyers to mimic Apple’s Find My service, bypass Activation Lock, and resell devices as functional. The illicit trade relies on Telegram channels that sell scripts and AI voice software for phishing, illustrating how software is turning ordinary theft into a sophisticated cybercrime ring.