Police raid suspected fake iPhone factory in Mozambique

The Mozambican authorities have seized what they believe are 1,165 fake Apple iPhones and arrested two Chinese nationals following a raid at an apartment in the capital, Maputo, where the phones were being assembled.

Police said the suspected counterfeiters were able to use complex technical procedures, including assigning unique serial numbers to the phones.

The suspects have denied any wrongdoing.

Customs officials said they found the suspects thanks to a tip-off.

“We received a complaint that caused suspicion. So we activated our operational lines to determine the veracity and after three weeks of investigation we discovered this factory," said Gino Jone, the director of Mozambique customs operational area in Maputo City.

He added that some of the seized phones are suspected to have been smuggled into the country, while others were obtained through theft.

“It's an apartment but it works like a factory. Mobile phones are made here, IMEIs [unique serial numbers] are placed and sold in a store located in the Alto-Maè area," he said.

This article originally appeared on BBC News

Photo: Elisio Francisco Gimo