Few people who have their phones stolen expect to ever see them again - especially if you're using the iPhone 5. But that's exactly what happened to a Richmond youth, who had his cellphone stolen during gym class late last year.
And the unexpected return of his iPhone is all due to a website called the "Blacklist" and the good nature of the person who bought it from the thief on Craigslist.
After buying the phone for $300 from a seller on Craigslist, the new owner - a 17-year-old Surrey university student - discovered the device wouldn't work. He then contacted his network provider, who then informed him the iPhone was on the Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association's National Stolen Device Blacklist.
And, after reporting it to the police, the university student voluntarily drove into Richmond and hand-delivered the phone to the school principal of the Richmond student.
"Thanks to the conscientiousness and kindness of the Surrey university student, who has asked not to be identified, we were able to return the phone to its rightful owner," said Const. Greg Reimer, of Richmond RCMP.
"But better yet; we were also able to identify a suspect in the theft of the phone.
"We are now taking steps to hold that person accountable for their actions."
The public can blacklist their lost or stolen phones via the blacklist, which several Canadian wireless carriers have signed up with in order to render the devices inoperable.
"It's really a matter of buyer beware, when buying items from strangers over the Internet," added Reimer.
"The blacklist can be a valuable tool in helping the consumer protect themselves from being victimized." Last fall, several Canadian cellular phone providers began utilizing the blacklist.
"We are extremely pleased that the stolen phone blacklist is making a difference," said Ashlee Smith, of the Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association.
"We encourage all cell phone users to visit www.protectyourdata.ca to find out more about keeping your wireless device safe and tips for personal safety."
