So I'm getting a iPhone4s from a guy name Bobby. B (I think it's fake) & I don't really know him, and my friend thinks that he is going to steal it from a store. I'm wondering if I buy it from him can I use it or does it have to be activated by the store first (if it's stolen from one) because he has a "no refund" policy. Thanks to anyone who can help. & if does need to be activated by the sotre is there someway I can have it activated without the store?
We here at Wireless Advisor do not advocate the use of stolen devices. If it is stolen from store stock there is a good chance the device will be blacklisted, and you won't be able to use it. If you don't trust this person, don't buy a phone from them. If you get caught with it you will be in possession of stolen property, and that's a mess you don't want to get into.
If you purchase a stolen iPhone, the police can and often times do use an app called "Find iPhone" to track it down. Once they find you with that iPhone you could also be prosecuted for theft. Since you already suspect this about that iPhone the best thing to do is stay away from that person and find a legitimate means of obtaining an iPhone. Sent from my iPad 4G using Tapatalk HD.
It is very unlikely that an iPhone not belonging to a customer would have Find My iPhone active on the device. It requires an iCloud account and an Apple ID. The phone requires a data connection before it can be found anyway.
It is also very unlikely that an iPhone is going to be stolen from a store as well. Don't forget about GPS. I believe the police can use this if they really wanted to find the person who stole the phone bad enough. http://msawaal.ibibo.com/viewanswers.aspx?quesid=aaa95c13-3363-45e1-b034-3e4969fbca3f&sb=z&catcityid=140&tab=l&type=l&pageno=1&csurl=mobile-computing&shorturl=how-police-track-down-stolen-mobile-phone-with-using-imei-number-843853&isvisible=1
Find My iPhone does not have the miraculous capabilities ascribed to it. MobileMe or iCloud must be active on the phone with an Apple ID. The phone must be turned on and connected to data either through Wi-Fi or the cellular data network. The phone must not have been reset or cleared by the owner. The location may be shown as a large circle around a wireless site, the location of a Wi-Fi hotspot or GPS if the phone is outside with a data connection. Stolen phones are not given very high priority in police investigations. Even stolen automobiles do not get high priority. Murder, armed robbery and d.r.u.g. trafficking are at the top of the food chain.
