Activation Lock removal request – device locked by scammers via fraudulent Apple ID

This is a user-to-user forum. Apple may or may not read postings around here. They only very rarely reply.

You transferred ownership of that iPhone to another.

Why or when or whatever caused that transfer of ownership doesn’t matter.

That transfer of ownership is revocable only by the new owner, or by Apple and solely at their discretion, and that only given sufficiently-convincing proof of ownership provided to Apple.

Apple will not revert ownership when the iPhone is in lost mode. Which is the case with all of these scams.

You can pay the scammers’ ransom, if you believe they both can and will revert the ownership.

Or put the same ransom money toward a replacement.

Otherwise, that iPhone is a brick. Replace it.

Apple (we on this forum are not Apple) can completely reset a device if a person can provide sufficient evidence of valid ownership. Read the requirements and steps for an Activation Lock support request at: https://al-support.apple.com/#/additional-support and links at the bottom right for the type of service requested. Apple says they “may” require "proof of purchase documentation” and that you need “proof of ownership documentation”, but does not detail what currently constitutes proof other than it “must include the product serial number, IMEI or MEID.” User reports on this community and chat with Apple indicate that typically Apple will absolutely require, and ONLY accept, an original receipt issued by Apple or an Apple Authorized Reseller. Presumably this is the only kind Apple can authenticate against fraud since Apple is not involved in third party sales. Apple recommends that you "Keep your receipt after you buy an Apple device" --> Keep your receipt after you buy an Apple device - Apple Support

Note that the device cannot have Lost Mode set on it or be a managed device. If your device has been taken over by you having entered a scammer’s Account then the scammer has likely set Lost Mode and the device is lost to you.

There is nothing that can be done to expedite an Activation Lock request.

If you cannot get the device unlocked then read this section from the very bottom of Apple Trade In - Apple :

"Does Apple offer recycling?

Yes. Apple Trade In lets you recycle any Apple device (including devices from Apple-owned brands) at any Apple Store and on Apple for free."

Unfortunately, you were tricked by scammers. Since the phone is in Lost mode, even Apple cannot help at this point, no matter what kind of documentation that you might have.

Here is the pertinent information from Apple's Support document:

"By submitting a request for Activation Lock support, you agree that

1. You are the owner of the device. The device is not in Lost Mode."

We have not paid and will not pay the extortion.

There is absolutely no guarantee that the lock will be removed if you pay the ransom. In most cases, if you respond to the scammers at all, they will simply continue to raise the ransom amount.

I'm sorry, but you have a useless phone on your hands.

yuliya695_ wrote:

https://discussions.apple.com/content/attachment/3d9d0aed-eca9-4b3c-b3ba-f1c8e6c1ecb2

Subject: Activation Lock removal request – device locked by scammers via fraudulent Apple ID

Hello,

I am the owner of an iPhone that was locked by fraudsters, and I am asking for help removing Activation Lock.

Device details:

- Model: iPhone [model, 17, 256 GB, color lavender]

- Serial number: ***

- IMEI: IMEI***

- Purchased: 07.09.2026 at mts, Samara

What happened:

On 09.10.2026, my daughter, who is a minor, responded to an online job offer for teenagers ("copywriter"). The "employer" gave her Apple ID credentials ([scammer's Apple ID email, if known]) and told her to sign in to iCloud on her iPhone as part of the "onboarding". Right after she did this, the scammers enabled Lost Mode on the device through Find My and demanded money to unlock it. The device is now Activation Locked to the scammers' Apple ID, which does not belong to us and which we have no control over.

We have not paid and will not pay the extortion. We filed a police report on 20.10.2026.

I can provide:

- the original proof of purchase showing the serial number/IMEI;

- the police report confirmation;

- screenshots of the scammers' messages and the extortion demand.

I kindly ask you to:

1. Remove Activation Lock and Lost Mode from this device so that we can restore it and use it again.

2. If this cannot be done at the first support level, please escalate the case to a senior advisor.

3. Review the Apple ID [scammer's email] for abuse, as it is being used to lock devices of minors for extortion.

Thank you for your help.

Olga

***

***

Sorry, but you made a HORRIBLE decision when you signed out of your Apple Account and into someone else's account. And since the phone is in lost mode, it doesn't matter what documentation you have, Apple cannot reverse this for you. DO NOT pay the ransom they will surely ask for. Doing so will put money in bad people's pockets and they still won't likely remove the lock. They'll just demand more money.

You will now need to buy a new cell phone and learn from this bad mistake. Read this --> Signing Out of Your Apple Account and Int… - Apple Community

[Edited by Moderator]

yuliya695_ wrote:

On 09.10.2026, my daughter, who is a minor, responded to an online job offer for teenagers ("copywriter"). The "employer" gave her Apple ID credentials ([scammer's Apple ID email, if known]) and told her to sign in to iCloud on her iPhone as part of the "onboarding".

I kindly ask you to:

3. Review the Apple ID [scammer's email] for abuse, as it is being used to lock devices of minors for extortion.

Unfortunately several replies appear to have missed that it was not you who did this but your daughter. If she is indeed a minor then in most places the parents have some responsibility for the actions of their minors, and may have to deal with the consequences. You need to have a word with her about the wild-west Internet and then make decisions about replacement equipment.

Limnos wrote:

yuliya695_ wrote:

On 09.10.2026, my daughter, who is a minor, responded to an online job offer for teenagers ("copywriter"). The "employer" gave her Apple ID credentials ([scammer's Apple ID email, if known]) and told her to sign in to iCloud on her iPhone as part of the "onboarding".

I kindly ask you to:

3. Review the Apple ID [scammer's email] for abuse, as it is being used to lock devices of minors for extortion.

Unfortunately several replies appear to have missed that it was not you who did this but your daughter. If she is indeed a minor then in most places the parents have some responsibility for the actions of their minors, and may have to deal with the consequences. You need to have a word with her about the wild-west Internet and then make decisions about replacement equipment.

I missed it was the daughter. But that doesn't change the outcome in any way. The phone is completely lost at this point and a new phone will need to purchased.

Even worse, as your user tip points out, the daughter may have given data on her phone to the scammers by logging into their account.