Beware: New Scam Wave Rides on Latest iPhone Launch — Don't Buy Carelessly
Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia — The euphoria surrounding the launch of the latest iPhone line has been immediately exploited by online fraud syndicates. Barely a week after release, hunters of the new iPhone face a double threat, ranging from fake retail websites draining pockets in the UK, to mysterious bills worth hundreds of millions of rupiah suddenly appearing on consumers’ credit cards in Hong Kong.
The modus operandi of this crime is growing increasingly rampant, targeting consumers eager to get their hands on Apple’s latest technology.
‘Sweet Discount’ Trap in the UK
According to a report by The Guardian, cited by Digital Trends on Tuesday (15/9/2026), a surge of fake websites claiming to be official Apple retailers occurred on a massive scale following the announcement of the iPhone Duo and iPhone 18 Pro/Pro Max line on 9 September.
Data from cyber security researcher WhoisXML API’s Alexandre Francois recorded that domain registrations featuring the new iPhone terms rocketed to more than 200 sites within just 24 hours of the launch.
These dubious sites deploy classic but enticing tactics:
Slashing the price of the iPhone 18 Pro by hundreds of pounds below Apple’s official release price of £1,199.
Directing payment methods towards direct bank transfers (rather than credit/debit cards) to avoid consumer protection (chargeback).
Installing tight countdown timers to psychologically pressure victims into transferring money without thinking twice.
Worse still, some sites even advertise a standard ‘iPhone 18’ variant — a fictitious product that has never officially been released by Apple.
Hong Kong Scandal: Mysterious Bills Exceed Rp33 Billion
Before the fake website drama subsides, an even more alarming problem emerged in Hong Kong. According to a report by the South China Morning Post, the Hong Kong Police have received more than 700 complaints regarding unauthorised credit card transactions linked to the iPhone 18 pre-order.
Total preliminary losses are estimated at HK$14.7 million (around Rp33 billion), with the highest single loss reaching HK$114,000 (around Rp57 million) for just one victim.
Credit card holders reported being shocked after being billed for iPhone purchases they never made. The flood of complaints even paralysed the customer service of several local banks over a full weekend.
Francis Fong, Honorary President of the Hong Kong Information Technology Federation, suspects that Apple’s checkout system may have relaxed layered verification such as 3D Secure in order to keep the pre-order transaction flow smooth. This gap is believed to have been exploited by credit card data theft syndicates (carding).
In response to the incident, local banking giants such as HSBC and Hang Seng Bank moved quickly by opening investigations and promising refunds for transactions proven to be fictitious.
Nonetheless, the public is still waiting to see who will ultimately bear responsibility for the losses: Apple or the banks.
Tips to Avoid the New iPhone Scam
For those planning to hunt for the latest iPhone series, authorities and cyber security analysts offer three key notes:
Official Channels Only: Transact only through the official Apple Store or accredited authorised resellers.
Avoid Direct Transfers: Never make peer-to-peer payments or bank transfers to personal accounts in exchange for price discounts.
Check Accounts Regularly: Intensively monitor your credit/debit card statements over the coming days to anticipate suspicious debits.