A 17-year-old iPhone fanatic Fei Lam, from Queens, New York could be facing charges for "selling stolen goods" after hauling in over $130,000 by peddling authentic white iPhone 4 conversion kits using parts he acquired directly from a source close to the Foxconn factory in China.
Fei Lam tells the Observer that "I knew a guy from a few years back that had somewhat of a relationship with folks in Foxconn." This "guy" found a way to export the Original/OEM parts used for Apple's iPhone 4 straight to Queens, where Fei bundled them up as conversion kits then sold them online at WhiteiPhone4Now.com.
His website offers full white iPhone conversion kits for $279 with over 470 sold to date. The website also includes several testimonials from happy customers.
"Excellent product and even better customer service. Received my product 5 days after I ordered! The items were exactly as described, BRAND SPANKING NEW!"
According to the Observer, Lam hopes to attend NYU and study computer science or business. "I'm very thankful, cause for months I was struggling for an idea that would bootstrap my first start-up and help pay for college," said Lam.
That's only if this high school senior can avoid a head-on collision with the law over his epic start-up. The Observer reports that yesterday, Lam received a threatening letter. "I got an email from a private investigator accusing me of selling stolen goods, which I'm 100 percent sure is not the case." said Lam.
With Apple's great white iPhone 4 officially delayed until Spring of next year, the demand for Original/OEM parts will not be going away anytime soon. Until Apple can find a way to shut down legendary operations like Fei Lam has built, Macheads won't have to wait until Spring of 2011 for the beautiful pale glow of ol' Whitey. Insert instant Apple fanboy drool here.
[The New York Observer via Gizmodo]
Wow, this kid must have made a great fortune for such a young age. Too bad though if he'll be proven guilty with the charges against him where he would become troubled with. Still, even if this teen's conscience was clear, he would have made sure that the transactions he made was legal and void.
Posted by: Yman @ Turning Winds | January 18, 2011 at 01:28 AM
I think apple has been cracking down on these guys because they are finally ready to release the white iPhone and for Verizon!!!You can check out the pics of the white iphone for verizon at goo.gl/pGS94
Posted by: Tristan Thomas | November 17, 2010 at 06:58 PM