I fell for a scam, logged into their account under the pretext of an app, and now they're demanding a ransom.

I wanted to download a cool telegram, like AuGram, but I fell for a scammer's trick by logging into their account, and now they're demanding a ransom. I don't know where to write to contact their support, so I decided to write here. They've made my phone look like a "Lost Phone." Even though I'm the owner (me) and I have it in my hands. Can you tell me where to write so that my iPhone can be unlocked and I can use it safely?

Phone model: iPhone 13

iPhone 13, iOS 18

Posted on Jul 5, 2025 9:44 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jul 5, 2025 9:47 AM

Bummer.


The only way out of this is to take the phone and the proof of purchase from Apple or an authorized retailer to Apple to have the activation lock removed.


If you can't provide proof that you are the original purchaser, it's a brick. There is no way to bypass the activation lock.

9 replies

Jul 5, 2025 10:48 AM in response to EvonWee

EvonWee wrote:

I have a receipt for the purchase, but there is a catch, I resident of Russia.

Then there is NOTHING anyone here or at Apple can do for you. Apple has no support in Russia. That was a most unfortunate thing you did. NEVER sign into someone else's account on your phone. You have turned the phone over to them and paying them the ransom would also be most unwise. Once they get it that you're willing to pay, they'll demand more.

Jul 5, 2025 1:32 PM in response to EvonWee

EvonWee wrote:

Will it help if I reset my phone to factory settings at the service center?


No.


Think about it. If thieves could get past Activation Lock simply by resetting a phone, it wouldn't be very useful. Activation Lock exists in no small part to prevent thieves from successfully resetting a phone!


In this case, the scammers have turned Activation Lock on you. It is much as if you gave scammers your house key, then came home to find that the scammers had changed the deadbolt locks on all of your doors while you were out, so that you could no longer get into your own home.

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I fell for a scam, logged into their account under the pretext of an app, and now they're demanding a ransom.

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