Man Fraudulently Purchases $16K in iPhones and Accessories, Police Say

Written by Mischa Arnosky

Police said a man bilked T-Mobile out of more than $16,400 by making more than 20 purchases by using a closed credit card account.

Ahmad Ibn Shuib, 23, address unknown, was charged with several counts of access device fraud and theft after police said he purchased 22 iPhone 5s and related accessories at area T-Mobile stores by using a closed Visa credit card account.

According to the criminal complaint, Shuib visited several T-Mobile stores between July 3 and July 24. In each instance, Shuib made purchases on the closed credit card account by telling T-Mobile associates that there was “something wrong” with his Metro Bank Visa debit card, adding that the card number had to be entered manually, according to the complaint.

Shuib’s Visa account was closed June 3, according to the complaint.

The alleged thefts happened at T-Mobile stores in Montgomery County — including stores in Elkins Park, Willow Grove, King of Prussia and North Wales— and Philadelphia, Lebanon and Delaware counties. There were also four allegedly fraudulent purchases made in New Jersey.

Most of the transactions were between $700 and $800.

On July 26, Shuib was arrested in Lower Merion Township shortly before 11 a.m. on two outstanding warrants for unrelated fraud offenses; he was driving a rented Toyota Avalon at the time of the arrest, police said.

According to the criminal complaint, police recovered two iPhone 5s; an iPad; a wallet containing a California personal identification card for Ahmad Shuib; a Metro Bank Visa card in the name of Shuib; and T-Mobile sim cards.

Shuib was arraigned Sept. 23 and his preliminary hearing is scheduled for Oct. 15 at 9:30 a.m. in front of District Judge Francis Bernhardt.