The launch of new iPhone models is already prompting a surge in fraud, with RuStore and security company F6 warning that criminals are creating phishing websites, social media accounts and messenger channels that offer pre-orders and fake services for Apple devices.
iPhone phishing schemes to watch
Fraudsters are advertising early access or discounted pre-orders, persuading buyers to make advance payments. In some cases the seller disappears after payment; in others a package arrives but contains a dummy or counterfeit device instead of an original iPhone. These advance-payment and counterfeit schemes are a central tactic in the current wave.
Fake RuStore offers and malicious downloads
A distinct scam centers on a purported “RuStore for iPhone.” There is no RuStore version for iOS, but fraudsters promote pages that ask users to download a special file or complete an “activation” process. Those pages can be used to redirect victims to third-party sites or to prompt downloads of unknown files.
Telegram lure that can lead to device blocking
More dangerous schemes use Telegram channels that promise to help install apps removed from the App Store. Following the instructions may require a user to sign out of their Apple ID and sign into another account. The real owner can then remotely lock the device via Find My iPhone, putting the user at risk of losing access and facing device blocking.
The scale of such schemes is already measured in the thousands. According to F6, in the first half of 2026 one Russian brand accounted for 2,738 fraudulent and phishing resources. For international companies like Apple, experts say the number could be several times higher.
