BUSINESS

The $100,000 prototype iPhone 6 vanished from eBay

Laurie Merrill

The Republic | azcentral.com

Bids had soared to more than %24100%2C000 on eBay. There were two days left to the auction.
Before the seller could say%2C %22time%27s up%2C%22 the auction was over.
What happened%3F

Visions of dollar signs -- more than 100,000 of them- were surely dancing through Alex Kantor's head as bids on the "iPhone 6 prototype" he was peddling climbed to the sky.

Bids had soared to more than $100,000 on eBay. There were two days left to the auction.

Then suddenly, the dream, the phone and the auction were dashed.

Before Kantor could say, "time's up," the auction was over.

What happened?

Did Apple come up with an offer the opportunist could not refuse? Did it use its clout to talk sense into eBay? Was there legal action, something like a cease and desist?

At this point, Apple and eBay aren't talking, and Kantor has apparently stopped giving interviews.

CNET identified the eBay seller known as kimberlyk1018 as Alex Kantor.

Kantor said in an interview on CNET's website that he was like millions of others, a consumer who ordered the newest iPhone. Only that one that showed up at his house was different. iOS had not been installed on it. The interface showed a proprietary developer's mode. It lacked the markings traditionally found on the back of an iPhone.

"I am also giving a 110% guarantee on this being an authentic Apple prototype device," the seller said., adding "I cannot guarantee that it will make calls or that the camera will work. The device comes with the box, charger, headphones and wall charger as well as all the paperwork."

In the past, Apple has requested an iPhone 4G prototype that was obtained by tech blog site Gizmodo. In 2011, the company asked for the return of a 3G MacBook prototype that was being sold through Craigslist. Apple also has a history of sending in the troops to track down prototypes of devices accidentally left in bars.