Skip to main content

Man tries to smuggle 94 iPhones into China by strapping them to his body

man tries smuggle 94 iphones china strapping body gets caught hong kong
Image used with permission by copyright holder
A Hong Kong man has been caught trying to smuggle nearly 100 iPhones into China by strapping them to his body.

According to local media reports, it was the man’s stiff and awkward walking style that caught the attention of border officials. It must, after all, be rather difficult to walk naturally with 94 smartphones taped to your chest, back, legs, and crotch.iphone hong kong

After noticing his unusual walking posture, which presumably looked more C-3PO than man-from-Hong-Kong, border guards asked him to walk through a metal detector. Sure enough, the detector’s alarm went into meltdown, confirming the guards’ suspicions that something wasn’t quite right with this particular traveler.

In the days before the iPhone was officially available in mainland China, or when new versions of the device launched in the country later than in other locations, there was real money to be made in smuggling the handset across the border from Hong Kong, which is usually one of the first markets to receive Apple’s handset after release.

However, it’s not sure how much money this particular smuggler might’ve made with his concealed consignment of iPhone 6 and 6 Plus phones as the handsets have been available in China for some time.

While it’s not uncommon for smugglers to attach handsets to their body in an attempt to get them across the border unnoticed, it’s certainly unusual for someone to try taking across so many devices in a single attempt. And now we know why.

[Via Sina News]

Trevor Mogg
Contributing Editor
Not so many moons ago, Trevor moved from one tea-loving island nation that drives on the left (Britain) to another (Japan)…
iOS 18 is official. Here’s how it’s going to change your iPhone forever
Screenshots of new features in iOS 18.

It’s been a long time coming, but it’s finally here: iOS 18 has just been announced at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2024 keynote. And, like the rumors have been saying, this is a very big, juicy update for your iPhone.

There's been a lot of anticipation for iOS 18. Rumors and leaks for the new update have been particularly intense this year, more so than iOS 17 rumors last year. So, was the hype worth it? Here's what's coming to your iPhone with iOS 18.
Home screen changes

Read more
Here’s how iOS 18 is going to overhaul your iPhone’s email app
An iPhone showing the home screen in someone's hand.

We're just days away from Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC 2024), which means we're about to get our first look at iOS 18. The new iPhone operating system is expected to get RCS texting in the iMessage app, more customization options for the home screen, and maybe a significant design change overall. Now comes word that changes will be made to the native Mail app.

According to AppleInsider, the Mail app is about to undergo a significant transformation. It's getting a powerful new search tool, Smart Replies, automatic sorting for different email types, and more. But the real excitement lies in the app's expected integration of AI functionality, a feature becoming a hallmark of iOS 18.

Read more
Be careful with your iPhone! Repairing it just got more expensive
Someone holding an iPhone 15 Pro Max outside on a patio, showing the back of the Natural Titanium color.

According to 9to5Mac, Apple has significantly changed its repair and standard warranty policies — potentially resulting in higher repair costs for iPhones and Apple Watches.

The policy change pertains to “single hairline cracks.” In the past, this type of problem was covered by the standard warranty for these products. However, it is now being treated as “accidental damage,” with customers being required to pay for the repair.

Read more