Scammers in Uzbekistan Have Found a New Way to Target iPhone Owners

iPhone owners, beware! Scammers have devised a clever scheme to lock your phone and demand a ransom for its unlocking. This was reported by digital security expert Shukhrat Kurbanov.

Here’s how the scheme works:

1️⃣ The scammer finds an ad for selling an iPhone on the OLX platform. They contact the seller via Telegram and express interest in purchasing the phone.

2️⃣ The scammer tells a story about how their iCloud account allegedly doesn’t work on all Apple devices. To “prove their honesty,” they share their iCloud login and password, explaining that they want to test their account on the seller’s phone.

3️⃣ The seller enters these details into their phone and sends a screenshot. Everything seems harmless, as the login and password were provided by the buyer.

4️⃣ The phone is immediately locked. Using the “Find My iPhone” feature, the scammer marks the device as lost, locks it, and demands a ransom to unlock it.

How to Avoid This Scam:

Never enter someone else’s details on your device, even if they seem legitimate.

Don’t install any apps or make changes to your phone at the request of a stranger.

Verify potential buyers and avoid those who make suspicious requests involving your phone.

Share this information with friends and family to protect them from similar scams.

Remember: caution is your best ally when selling your device. Don’t let scammers steal your phone or your money.