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Alex_Wagner
User level: Level 1 (4 points)

Activation Lock After a Scam — Apple Denied My Request Twice Despite Proof of Purchase


Hello everyone,


I'm looking for advice from anyone who has experienced a similar situation or successfully resolved an Activation Lock issue after being scammed.


I own an iPhone 13 Pro Max that I purchased second-hand from a store in Russia. The phone was working properly, and I have proof of purchase, including a cash receipt, a sales receipt containing the device's IMEI, and a photo of the original box.


Unfortunately, I fell victim to a scam. The scammers tricked me into signing out of my Apple Account and signing in to an Apple Account they controlled, under the pretext of a game-testing job. They then enabled Lost Mode on my iPhone and displayed a message demanding that I contact them through Telegram to unlock the device.


I subsequently restored the iPhone, hoping to regain access to it. However, during setup, the phone asked for the password of an unfamiliar Apple Account. This confirmed that I was facing Activation Lock, and I could no longer access the device through my own Find My account.


I contacted Apple Support and submitted an Activation Lock removal request twice. Unfortunately, both requests were denied. The second request was submitted with the assistance of an Apple Support representative, and I provided improved photos of my purchase documents and the original box.


One complication is that the device had been placed in Lost Mode by the scammers. I cannot turn off Lost Mode myself because the iPhone is no longer linked to my own Apple Account in Find My. I am concerned that this circumstance may have affected the review, but I have not received a clear explanation confirming the reason for the refusals.


I understand that Activation Lock exists to protect devices from theft, and I respect Apple's security policies. I am not trying to bypass the security system. I am simply trying to recover access to a device that I purchased legitimately and that was taken over through fraud.


I have already lost access to an expensive device, and being unable to resolve the situation despite having purchase documentation has been very frustrating.


I would really appreciate advice on the following questions:

  • Has anyone successfully obtained another review of an Activation Lock removal request after two denials?
  • Is there a way to request a manual review by a senior advisor or a specialized team?
  • Can Apple review proof of ownership when a device has been placed in Lost Mode by scammers and the legitimate purchaser cannot disable it?
  • Is there any official escalation process for cases involving fraud and a second-hand device purchased with valid documentation?


I would be grateful for any advice based on personal experience. If you have dealt with a similar situation, please let me know what steps worked for you.


Thank you for taking the time to read my post.



[Edited by Moderator]

Posted on Oct 9, 2026 5:30 PM

3 replies

Mac Jim ID
User level: Level 10 (105,996 points)

Oct 9, 2026 5:48 PM in response to Alex_Wagner

Sorry you are out of luck. It is not possible to remove the Activation Lock when the device has been placed in Lost Mode and that information can be found here:

https://al-support.apple.com/#/al/agreement


Even if it were not placed in Lost Mode, the proof of purchase required is usually that of an Authorized Apple Seller and that would likely not be the case in Russia. Apple does not get involved at all in third party sales. Even in the US, a second hand purchase of a phone that has been Activation Locked will remain that way unless the owner of the account signed into the device has removed the lock.


It is NEVER acceptable to enter someone else's Apple Account/Password into your device no matter what promises they have made to you. Telegram is full of scams as the users are completely anonymous, which should also be a red flag and make you question everything you do on that platform.

Servant of Cats
User level: Level 9 (55,707 points)

Oct 9, 2026 7:27 PM in response to Alex_Wagner

Alex_Wagner wrote:
I own an iPhone 13 Pro Max that I purchased second-hand from a store in Russia. The phone was working properly, and I have proof of purchase, including a cash receipt, a sales receipt containing the device's IMEI, and a photo of the original box.


A second-hand sales receipt would not be acceptable as a basis for removing Activation Lock even if the iPhone was not in Lost Mode. Neither would a photo of a box be acceptable.


Unfortunately, I fell victim to a scam. The scammers tricked me into signing out of my Apple Account and signing in to an Apple Account they controlled, under the pretext of a game-testing job. They then enabled Lost Mode on my iPhone and displayed a message demanding that I contact them through Telegram to unlock the device.


That was a fatal mistake. The phone is lost to you, and its "bricking" is the least of your worries. Please read this User Tip by lobsterghost1 which describes the issue in detail.


Signing Out of Your Apple Account and Into Someone Else's Account Could Have Catastrophic Consequences – Apple Community

lobsterghost1
User level: Level 10 (233,174 points)

Oct 9, 2026 9:03 PM in response to Alex_Wagner

Nope. There is no help anywhere or from Apple from the mistake you made. I wrote this to help people avoid such situations, but it also explains that you have made a catastrophic mistake you can never recover from --> Signing Out of Your Apple Account and Int… - Apple Community

Originally posted at discussions.apple.com/thread/256373404