Cebu City Police Crack Down on Sophisticated iPhone Theft Operation
In a significant breakthrough, the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) has apprehended two suspects allegedly involved in a sophisticated scheme to purchase and resell stolen high-end cellphones, predominantly iPhones. The arrests were made following a raid on a rented room located along Leon Kilat Street in Barangay Pahina Central, Cebu City, where authorities uncovered a cache of illicit devices.
Suspects Possess Uncommon Technical Expertise
Police Colonel George Ylanan, the city police chief, emphasized that the arrested individuals are believed to be key players in the operation, serving as a primary source for stolen expensive cellphones. These gadgets were subsequently sold at a downtown mall in Cebu City. Ylanan highlighted that the suspects possess advanced technical skills and extensive knowledge, enabling them to bypass Apple's robust firewall—a capability not commonly found among ordinary technicians.
"The ones we caught are really the main culprits. They only buy iPhones. If you analyze it, they target iPhones because it has the toughest firewall and is very hard to hack. They have the technical expertise; that's why it's iPhones and not Androids. Look, all of them are iPhones," Ylanan stated, underscoring the deliberate focus on Apple products due to their security challenges.
Investigation Reveals Detailed Operation
Investigations conducted by the City Intelligence Unit and City Investigation and Detection Unit of the CCPO revealed that the suspects purchased iPhones for approximately P5,000 per unit. These devices were then sold at the mall, often presented as brand new to unsuspecting buyers. The police confiscated a total of 154 cellphones from three rooms on Leon Kilat Street, with nearly 100 of these iPhones already positively identified by their rightful owners.
All complainants were able to locate their lost iPhones among the recovered items, indicating that almost all stolen devices were funneled through these suspects. Some gadgets, missing for up to four months, could no longer be accessed by their owners because the suspects had reprogrammed them, further complicating recovery efforts.
Victim Recounts Experience and Gratitude
One complainant shared his experience with the CCPO, noting that he spotted his iPhone 16 Pro among the recovered items on social media. He recounted that his carefully kept cellphone went missing the previous week at a large mall in South Road Properties, after being jostled in a crowd. Expressing gratitude to the police for recovering his device, he vowed to exercise greater caution in crowded areas moving forward.
Ongoing Efforts and Additional Investigations
Authorities continue to search for two remaining suspects who are still at large, with efforts underway to file appropriate charges against them. The investigation has also expanded to include the person renting the room, who operates a cellphone repair shop. CCPO believes this individual may possess valuable information about the stolen items.
In a related development, the Business Permit and Licensing Office has issued a show-cause order to the shop owner after determining that his business operated without the necessary permit, adding another layer to the case.
Police Colonel Ylanan added that authorities are actively searching for other individuals involved in the operation, many of whom are believed to operate outside Cebu City, highlighting the broader scope of this criminal network.
