Bots target iPhone 15 Pro Max pre-orders, creating headaches for ordinary customers

Demand for Apple's latest iPhone 15 Pro Max has skyrocketed, leading to a significant increase in delivery times around the world.

However, a new study by anti-bot company Kasada has revealed that the situation is being made worse by scalpers using automated bots to obtain multiple units of the desirable device, making it increasingly problematic for regular buyers to get it.

The report reveals instances of so-called all-in-one (AIO) bots being used to exploit increased demand for the iPhone 15 Pro Max. While the report doesn't clearly prove that it's automated bots rather than individual people recommending purchases, it emphasizes the scale of the problem.

These scalpers, with or without the help of bots, are capitalizing on the opportunities presented by the popularity of the iPhone 15 Pro Max. The report estimates that scalpers can make around $300 in profit per unit with minimal risk due to Apple's flexible return policy. This attracts scalpers who see this venture as a low-risk, high-reward opportunity.

Kasada's findings also show instances where bots processed more than 3,000 checks or orders for the iPhone 15, potentially generating around $1,000,000 in revenue for scalpers. While these examples cover the entire iPhone 15 lineup, according to Kasada, some people went as far as creating custom bots specifically to purchase the iPhone 15 Pro Max.

In addition, criminals are accused of using bots in various credit card scams, including fraud related to Apple Pay.