Shenzhen Hub Processes Stolen iPhones From US, Europe

A global network of stolen iPhones, often taken in cities like London and Los Angeles, ends up in the Feiyang Times building in Shenzhen's Huaqiangbei district, known colloquially as the "stolen iPhone building." Victims have used Apple's Find My feature to track their devices' journeys thousands of miles, revealing a sophisticated system where stolen phones are first moved to Hong Kong and then to Shenzhen for resale or dismantling. While many of the second-hand iPhones sold there are legitimate trade-ins, there is a significant black market for locked devices, which are either sold intact or stripped for parts, making nearly every iPhone component valuable. The Feiyang Times building hosts hundreds of small firms involved in this trade, and Hong Kong acts as a critical intermediary hub where locked phones labeled "iCloud locked" are openly marketed. Law enforcement estimates the global phone theft industry is worth billions, with stolen iPhones constituting a substantial share due to their resale value and demand for parts. Victims often receive messages from individuals in Shenzhen urging them to remove devices from Find My, highlighting ongoing tactics used by thieves to circumvent Apple's security measures.