Six individuals apprehended by the Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority’s Cybersecurity Task Force in connection to 10,000 stolen iPhones have revealed a concerning technique. When users activate “Lost Mode” on their devices, the suspects exploit this feature to their advantage.
“Activating Lost Mode displays the owner’s mobile number, which they then use to impersonate the victim and gain access to their accounts by claiming the identities stored on the device,” the suspects disclosed after their capture.
The suspects, identified as Leonard Kasonde, John Phiri, Lewis Daka, Ephraim Bwalya, Stanley Banda, and Mike Mwanza, were apprehended in Kabanana while driving an unregistered silver Lexus for their alleged involvement in cybercrime activities. Authorities accuse the six of stealing phones and selling them primarily in Zimbabwe and other neighboring countries.
This case came to light following an investigation into the theft of an iPhone 14 Pro Max, which led to unauthorized access to the victim’s bank account and social media accounts. The investigation prompted an operation that resulted in the recovery of three iPhone 14 Pro Max devices, four Tecno Fortune phones, 30 Airtel SIM cards, and 25 MTN SIM cards.
Further investigation revealed that the suspects are linked to over 10,000 stolen iPhones, which they have been selling primarily in Zimbabwe and other neighboring countries. The suspects are said to possess advanced techniques to unlock devices, including those protected by fingerprint or face ID, making it challenging to track them using IMEI numbers.
Authorities have advised the public to report stolen phones and SIM cards to ZICTA immediately by dialing *707#, emphasizing the importance of avoiding the activation of “Lost Mode” unless absolutely necessary. Additionally, they recommend embracing eSIM technology to enhance security and reduce the risk of SIM card theft.
