Fraudsters aren’t just trying to trick passwords into giving away. They’ve begun to trick children into voluntarily signing into someone else’s iCloud account on their iPhone. Afterward, the attacker locks the device and demands a ransom.
How does this happen?
Free Games and Apps
They advertise access to games (PUBG Mobile, Standoff2) and apps (AioGram) on TikTok or Telegram. A new “friend” offers the child, via social media or in-game chat, to install a mod, get bonuses, or “level up” their character. To do this, they need to “temporarily sign in to their Apple gaming ID” on their device.
“Competition” or “Prize Giveaway”
To “claim the prize,” you must verify your identity by logging into the provided iCloud account on your device. The scammer claims this is a “temporary verification procedure.”
Explaining to a child: “The prizes don’t require logging into other people’s accounts. This is a 100% scam.”
What happens after you sign in to someone else’s iCloud?
The “Find Me” feature is activated. As soon as someone else’s Apple ID appears in Settings → [Name], the scammer immediately sees the child’s iPhone listed as their own.
The device is instantly locked. The scammer remotely activates Lost Mode on the iPhone. A message appears on the screen stating that the device is lost and locked.
A ransom demand appears. A message arrives with the scammer’s contact information and a demand to pay for unblocking.
Key rules for a child!
“DO NOT ENTER SOMEONE ELSE’S Apple ID! NEVER!” Under any circumstances, even if a friend asks.
iPhone settings aren’t for playing around. Don’t do things in your phone’s settings (iCloud/Apple ID section) that a stranger on the internet tells you to do.
“Bonuses” and “cheats” are a scam. Real mods and cheats aren’t installed this way. They don’t exist.
If you’ve already started a conversation and they ask you to go to Settings, STOP! Turn off your device and tell your parents.
What parents should do: Take your iPhone, open Settings → [Name], and show your child what the Apple ID login screen looks like. Say, “You can’t touch this area without me.”
Set up Family Sharing. The family manager can see if a new account is added to a child’s device.
Important: For a child account, set “Ask to Purchase” in Family Sharing settings. This will add another barrier.
Restrict the ability to install programs.
In Screen Time → Content & Privacy, you can prevent apps from being installed or uninstalled without a password. This will reduce the risk of being tricked into downloading an app.
What should I do if my child is already logged into someone else’s iCloud and the phone is locked?
DO NOT PAY! Paying does not guarantee unblocking. You will lose your money, and the scammer may demand more.
If you’ve already been blocked, please strictly follow the Apple Support instructions.
Prepare your iPhone purchase receipt/document. This is the primary proof that you own the device. Without it, your chances of getting help are greatly reduced.
More information on the “CYBERFORTRESS” Telegram channel
