‘War Booty’ iPhones Flood Tehran Market After Singapore-Flagged Ship Sinks

TEHRAN, Oct 17 : Smartphones advertised as “war booty” have reportedly appeared in Tehran’s online marketplace following the sinking of a container ship near the Strait of Hormuz, prompting Iranian cyber police to warn consumers about fraudulent sales offers.

Iranian news agency Tasnim reported on Saturday that scammers could exploit public interest in goods allegedly recovered from the sea by advertising products at unusually low prices and demanding advance payments.

Police warned that fraudsters might collect deposits, delivery charges or other advance fees before disappearing without delivering the advertised goods. Buyers were advised to verify sellers and inspect products before making payments.

The warnings follow the sinking of the Singapore-flagged container ship GFS Pride near the Strait of Hormuz on October 14. Singapore’s Maritime and Port Authority confirmed that the vessel caught fire and sank, with all 21 crew members evacuated safely and no injuries reported.

Videos and images circulated on social media claiming to show iPhones and luxury perfumes recovered from the water. However, fact-checkers have identified some of the purported iPhone-recovery footage as AI-generated, and the ship’s actual cargo has not been independently established.

The vessel’s sinking also remains the subject of conflicting accounts. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed it struck a naval mine after taking an unauthorised route, while maritime reporting cited a projectile as the cause of the damage.

Police also cautioned that even genuine electronic devices recovered from seawater could have hidden damage. Exposure to salt water and moisture can corrode internal components and damage circuit boards, batteries and displays, potentially causing problems after purchase.

Consumers were urged to exercise caution when offered expensive electronics at unusually low prices and to avoid transferring money before verifying the seller and the goods.