The fake sealed iPhone 17 box bought in Al Ain. AHMED SAEED

An Al Ain resident bought an iPhone 17… only to find a box of stones! Ahmed Saeed said that he uncovered the scam after he purchased the iPhone 17 from a store in the emirate and unboxed it at home. In an interview with Gulf Today, Saeed said that the box looked completely authentic, sealed, and identical to an official Apple package—even in weight. But when he opened it at home, he was stunned to find stones taped inside. “I was in disbelief. The box was sealed and felt genuine—it was impossible to imagine this,” Saeed recalled. When he returned to the store, the salesman expressed equal shock at the incident, but admitted that the phone had not been sourced from an official distributor. Saeed received a refund, but the incident highlighted the risks of buying devices from unauthorized retailers. Authorities in Abu Dhabi and Sharjah have previously warned consumers against purchasing electronics from uncertified sellers, as counterfeit operations have grown increasingly sophisticated. The bizarre case—quickly dubbed the “iPhone Stone” on social media—sparked both sympathy and amusement online. Many users called it a wake-up call for shoppers to verify devices in-store, especially with the high demand for the iPhone 17. Consumer protection officials reiterated that buying from authorized dealers remains the safest way to avoid scams and ensure warranty coverage. ICA/Expat Media
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