Man shocked after buying sealed iPhone 17 box filled with stones in UAE

What began as a moment of excitement for a new iPhone 17 quickly turned into shock and disappointment for an Al Ain resident, after he discovered that the sealed box he purchased contained nothing more than stones.

Ahmed Saeed, who spoke to Gulf Today, recounted the bizarre incident that took place on Thursday evening. Saeed said he had gone to a mobile phone store in Al Ain to purchase the highly sought-after iPhone 17. The box appeared completely authentic, sealed, and identical in every detail to an original Apple package. Even its weight gave no indication that anything was amiss.

The surprise came later that evening when Saeed opened the box at home in front of his family. Instead of finding a sleek new smartphone, he was stunned to discover a collection of small stones neatly packed inside. “I was in disbelief. The box was sealed and felt genuine—it was impossible to imagine this,” he said.

Saeed immediately returned to the store, where the salesman was equally shocked upon seeing the contents. After further discussion, the salesman admitted that the device had not been sourced from an official Apple outlet or certified distributor. He insisted, however, that he had not been aware of the deception.

Ahmed Saeed shows stones inside the box of iPhone 17 in Al Ain.

“Most customers open the box in the store itself,” the salesman explained. “There was no intent to defraud. I was tricked as well, because the box looked perfect and authentic.”

The ordeal ultimately ended with Saeed receiving a refund and returning the counterfeit box. He described the packaging as “100 per cent identical to the original,” making the scam even more convincing.

The unusual incident highlights the risks of purchasing electronics from non-official retailers and the growing sophistication of counterfeit operations. Sharjah and Abu Dhabi authorities have previously warned residents against buying devices from unauthorized outlets, stressing the importance of ensuring that products come from certified distributors to guarantee authenticity and warranty coverage.

Saeed said he was grateful that the matter was resolved without financial loss, but urged other consumers to exercise caution. “Always check your device at the store before leaving,” he advised. “What happened to me could happen to anyone.”

The story of what some on social media have already dubbed the “iPhone Stone” quickly spread online, with many users expressing both sympathy and amusement at the unusual twist. Some commenters said the case should serve as a wake-up call for customers to verify their purchases on the spot, no matter how convincing the packaging may appear.

As the popularity of the iPhone 17 continues to generate high demand across the UAE, consumer protection authorities have reiterated their call for residents to remain vigilant. Buying from authorized dealers, they stressed, is the best way to avoid falling victim to scams like this one.