We've dismantled criminal networks at every level from street-level thieves to international organised crime groups exporting tens of thousands of stolen devices each year." UK police may have knocked down an international gang suspected of smuggling up to 40,000 stolen mobile phones from the UK to China over the past year. The investigation was reportedly triggered after a victim successfully traced a single stolen iPhone . The Metropolitan Police described the effort as the UK's largest ever operation against phone thefts, resulting in the arrest of 18 suspects and the discovery of more than 2,000 stolen devices. Authorities estimate that the group may be responsible for exporting as many as half of all phones stolen in London, where most mobile thefts occur in the UK.

Source: The Times October 07, 2025 14:22 UTC