If I buy an insured iPhone from the owner, can they lock the iPhone?

honu192 wrote:

I ask this question because a friend of mine seriously needs money and he have no option than to sell his phone for me and later file for a replacement as a lost phone,so i want to know if it possible the can lock the phone (iphone) because it be insured so am afraid to buy and later the insurance company will lock it.

That is insurance fraud. It is illegal. Do not be a party to that. When your "friend" files for an insurance replacement, they will need to report the phone as stolen to their carrier. That will shut it down. You will have no phone.

and he have no option than to sell his phone for me and later file for a replacement as a lost phone,

It is not legal (scam), sell his iPhone to you and then also report it to the insurance company as 'lost'.

No, don't buy the iPhone.

You may be suspected as an accomplice.

honu192 wrote:

I ask this question because a friend of mine seriously needs money and he have no option than to sell his phone for me and later file for a replacement as a lost phone,so i want to know if it possible the can lock the phone (iphone) because it be insured so am afraid to buy and later the insurance company will lock it.

As you have just posted in this public forum, describing how you propose to be a party to insurance fraud, which is a crime that you can go to jail for, it would be very unwise for you to be involved in this transaction. Your own words would be used against you. And insurance companies take insurance fraud very seriously, and DO prosecute whenever they can.

If he does that you’ll be left with an unusable phone. Of course, he could find himself facing charges insurance fraud, too…

Don’t do it. And warn him that what he’s contemplating is a crime.

and later the owner file for replacement as a lost phone can they lock the phone

Yes.

If you buy an insured iPhone from the owner you need to ask for the original receipt, because you have paid.

See -> Keep your receipt after you buy an Apple device

Keep your receipt after you buy an Apple device – Apple Support (UK)

Read this first before you buy a 2nd hand iPhone.

The carrier will lock the iPhone.

You need to have the original receipt (watch out for fake receipt).

Yes.