Stolen Apple iPhones continue to move from UK streets into Nigeria’s busy technology markets, where they are refurbished and resold as “UK used” or even sealed to appear new. Victims in cities such as London and Manchester often discover that their lost devices are later activated in Lagos or Abuja, ending up in the hands of unsuspecting buyers who pay premium prices.
The rising trade in refurbished phones
Nigeria’s Computer Village in Ikeja has become a central hub for the resale of refurbished Apple iPhones. Vendors admit that many devices arrive from Europe, where they are repackaged and resold at high margins. British media have previously reported on gangs riding mopeds through London streets, snatching phones that are later moved across Europe and into West Africa.
UK theft data shows steep rise
Recent insurance data highlights the scale of the problem in Britain. Nearly two in five phones stolen in Europe are taken in the UK. Analysis from insurance firm SquareTrade shows that 39% of all theft claims across its 12 European markets came from the UK, even though British customers only accounted for 10% of the company’s base. Since June 2021, theft claims have risen by 425%, with 42% of all UK thefts occurring in London. Metropolitan police figures indicate that 80,000 phones were stolen in London last year, with a street value of nearly € 24 million.
UK victims track devices to Nigeria
Several UK residents have traced their stolen Apple iPhones through Apple’s iCloud or IMEI databases, often finding them activated in Nigeria. Some buyers in Nigeria unknowingly purchase these stolen devices, while others encounter them through fraudulent insurance schemes where phones are sold abroad and then declared missing to claim payouts.
Apple and international blacklisting
Apple has intensified measures to limit the stolen phone market. The company refuses to repair Apple iPhones flagged as stolen in the GSMA global registry. Once blacklisted, these devices often become unusable, leaving Nigerian consumers who paid premium prices with blocked devices.
Experts warn the cycle continues
Cybersecurity experts emphasise that the trade starts on UK streets, where organised groups see phone theft as more profitable and less risky than drug dealing. The demand for used Apple iPhones in overseas markets ensures a steady flow. Experts recommend that buyers in Nigeria verify IMEI numbers, insist on receipts and warranties, and remain cautious of unusually low prices. Without stronger enforcement and cooperation between the UK and Nigeria, the illegal trade in stolen Apple iPhones is expected to continue.
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