One iPhone led police to gang suspected of sending up to 40,000 stolen UK phones to China

Police say they have dismantled an international organisation accused of smuggling up to 40,000 stolen mobile phones from the United Kingdom to China over the past year. Eighteen suspects have been arrested, and more than 2,000 stolen devices have been recovered in what the Metropolitan Police describe as the UK’s largest-ever operation against mobile phone theft.

The gang is suspected of exporting up to half of all phones stolen in London, where the majority of mobile thefts in the UK occur. BBC News was granted exclusive access to the operation, which revealed the identities of the suspects, their methods, and footage from raids at 28 properties across London and Hertfordshire. The investigation began after a robbery victim managed to trace their stolen phone last year.

“It was Christmas Eve when the victim electronically tracked their stolen iPhone to a warehouse near Heathrow Airport,” said Detective Inspector Mark Gavin. “Security staff were quick to assist and discovered the phone in a box – one of 894 others.”

Officers found that nearly all the phones in that shipment had been stolen and were being sent to Hong Kong. Following further interceptions, forensic analysis led police to identify two men. As the investigation progressed, police bodycam footage captured officers executing a dramatic roadside interception, some with Tasers drawn. Inside the suspects’ vehicle, officers found devices wrapped in foil – an apparent attempt to prevent tracking.

Both men, aged in their 30s, were charged with conspiracy to handle stolen goods and with concealing or removing criminal property. Hundreds of phones were found in their car, and around 2,000 more were discovered at addresses linked to them. A third man, a 29-year-old Indian national, has since been charged with three further offences.

“The discovery of that initial shipment was the breakthrough that exposed a major international smuggling network,” said Det Insp Gavin. “We believe this group may have been responsible for exporting up to 40% of all phones stolen in London.”

Last week, officers made a further 15 arrests on suspicion of robbery, handling stolen property, and conspiracy to steal. All but one of the suspects are women, including a Bulgarian national. Around 30 mobile phones were seized during early-morning raids.

Over the past four years, the number of phones stolen in London has almost tripled – from 28,609 in 2020 to 80,588 in 2024. Three-quarters of all mobile thefts in the UK now occur in the capital. With more than 20 million people visiting London each year, tourist hotspots such as the West End and Westminster have become prime targets for pickpockets and snatch thieves.

According to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics, theft from the person rose by 15% across England and Wales in the year to March 2025 – the highest level since 2003. Experts believe a growing demand for second-hand smartphones, both in the UK and overseas, has fuelled the surge in robberies. Many victims never recover their devices.

“We’re hearing that some criminals are moving away from drugs and into the mobile phone trade because it’s more profitable,” said Policing Minister Sarah Jones. “If a stolen phone is worth hundreds of pounds, it’s easy to see why opportunistic criminals are turning to this market.”

According to senior officers, the gang specifically targeted Apple devices because of their high resale value abroad. The Met Police investigation found that street robbers were paid up to £300 per handset, while stolen iPhones were being resold in China for as much as $4,000 each – a lucrative trade that also makes the devices attractive to those seeking to bypass online censorship.

“This is the biggest crackdown on mobile phone theft and trafficking in the UK,” said the Met’s lead officer for tackling the crime. “We’ve dismantled criminal networks at every level – from street robbers to international smugglers exporting tens of thousands of stolen devices each year.”

The Metropolitan Police has faced criticism from victims who say officers have not done enough to tackle the problem. Many complain that police fail to respond even when they provide tracking data through Apple’s Find My iPhone or similar services.

Natalie Mitchell, 29, had her phone stolen on Oxford Street in central London last year. Speaking to Your Voice, Your BBC News, she said she now feels constantly on edge when visiting the city.

“It’s frightening. I’m always watching my surroundings and worrying about my bag and phone,” she said. “The Met Police should be doing much more, like installing more CCTV or deploying undercover officers. I think they’re overwhelmed and don’t have the time or resources to deal with every case properly.”

In recent months, the Met has expanded its presence on TikTok and other social media platforms, sharing videos of officers tackling phone snatchers. The force says that personal robbery is down 13% and overall theft in London has fallen 14% this year. In the West End alone, up to 80 additional officers are being deployed to focus on mobile phone thefts.

However, the Met faces a £260 million budget shortfall next year, which could lead to nearly 2,000 officers being laid off. Mayor Sadiq Khan said the force is prioritising visible neighbourhood policing and deploying special operations in high-risk areas such as Westminster and the West End. These initiatives, he said, have already led to hundreds of arrests and the recovery of thousands of handsets.

He also criticised how easily stolen phones can be repurposed and resold. “I will continue to urge the smartphone industry to act faster and make stolen phones permanently unusable,” he said. “We need coordinated global action to end this trade and make London safer for everyone.”