Apple has rejected the security protocol 3D Secure (3DS) after receiving 110 reports of fraudulent transactions following the pre-order launch of the iPhone Duo. Hong Kong received over 110 reports of fraudulent transactions after the launch pre-order of the new iPhone Duo model. The largest transactions exceeded HK$229,788 (US$29,280), equivalent to about 12 iPhone Duos. The police stated that residents began providing suspicious credit card purchase information due to the online pre-orders starting at 8 pm on the previous Thursday. The reports were classified as fraud cases. This is the second time in less than a week that an iPhone launch has been marked by fraudulent reports. The police said they are still investigating 1,572 suspicious transactions involving the iPhone 18 Pro series available for pre-order on September 12th. These transactions exceeded HK$31 million.

Inspector Lo Chun-kong, responsible for the division of security and technological crime, stated that the police have never arrested anyone. He also noted that Apple had initiated some measures, including developing internal fraud risk models and improving transaction monitoring. However, Apple decided not to activate 3D Secure during the pre-order of the iPhone Duo the previous evening, which does not contribute to preventing fraudulent transactions. 'Apple has rejected the activation of 3DS, which helps verify customer authenticity during online transactions, while continuing to not activate this protocol after many calls from the police,' added Lo. The police stated that it was 'grave' that Apple's responsibility was lacking, leaving the door open for criminals. 'It is a great disappointment that the same situation has occurred again,' added Lo.