Apple, the strictest father of Vibe Coding

Beijing police have warned that iMessage-based scams are on the rise after uncovering a string of frauds that used forged lawyer letters to coerce payments, it has been reported by ifeng (凤凰网). In the cases cited, criminals sent high-resolution images of fake loan-collection notices with embedded QR codes that redirected victims to phishing sites and bank-transfer pages. Authorities say 12 related cases have been recorded so far, with reported losses of about RMB 269,100 (roughly $37,000).

Why iMessage is a fertile ground for fraud

Why is iMessage such a hot spot for fraud? Security experts point to several platform traits. It has been reported that iMessage can be used without binding a phone number or real-name verification—an Apple ID email suffices—and messages sync across iPhone, iPad and Mac, so a scam can reach multiple devices seamlessly. Ordinary SMS spam filters target phone-numbered texts and often fail to catch iMessage content. Scammers also exploit iMessage’s support for high-quality images, PDFs and custom links to fabricate convincing copies of bank pages, official notices and lawyer letters that are hard for lay users to distinguish.

Practical steps for users — and for Apple

Users can take immediate precautions: disable iMessage suggestions, enable “Filter Unknown Senders” so messages from strangers go to a separate folder without pop-up alerts, and turn on Apple ID two‑factor authentication (Apple ID → Password & Security → Two‑Factor Authentication) so a password alone won’t grant access. Don’t scan unsolicited QR codes, and always verify money requests through official channels before transferring funds — especially when elderly relatives are involved.

Beijing’s bulletin underscores a broader tension: global platforms like Apple operate large, cross‑border ecosystems that can be exploited in local fraud campaigns, and regulators in China have been pressing for stronger consumer protections and platform accountability. It has been reported that police and tech observers are urging platform-level improvements — stronger sender verification and better spam filtering for app-based messaging — even as users remain the first line of defense.