Stolen iPhone Unlocking Services Drive Underground Cybercrime Market
Original: Your iPhone Gets Stolen. Then the Hacking Begins
Why This Matters
Reveals growing cybercrime infrastructure targeting mobile security vulnerabilities
Cybersecurity firm Infoblox tracked dozens of groups selling iPhone unlocking tools and over 10,000 phishing sites. Traffic to these domains increased 350% last year, with services costing under $10. Unlocked phones worth $500-1,000 versus $50-200 when locked.
Researchers at Infoblox uncovered a thriving underground ecosystem helping criminals unlock stolen iPhones through Telegram and web-based services. The pay-per-use software typically costs under $10, making it accessible to individual thieves rather than large-scale operations. When phones are stolen, criminals can access bank accounts and crypto wallets if devices are unlocked or passcodes obtained. London police cite a case of four men handling over 5,000 stolen phones and spending money from device financial accounts. Security expert Dan Guido notes locked phones are worth $50-200, but unlocked devices can fetch $500-1,000, creating strong incentives for unlocking services. The ecosystem involves multiple supply chain levels working together, with millions of phones stolen annually.