₹91 crore Samsung heist: 12,000 phones including Galaxy Z Fold 7 stolen

Samsung has found itself in the middle of a real-life heist drama that sounds straight out of a Hollywood script. A delivery truck carrying some of its most premium gadgets, including the newly launched Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Flip 7, was stolen near London’s Heathrow Airport. Reports suggest that nearly 12,000 devices were taken in the daring robbery, with an estimated value of around ₹91 crore (€9 million).

What did the thieves get away with?

The stolen consignment was stacked with Samsung’s latest gear. According to Yonhap News TV, the haul included 5,000 units each of the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7, along with 5,000 Galaxy Watch 8 smartwatches. A smaller batch of Galaxy S25 and Galaxy A16 devices was also part of the loot. The shipment had just arrived at a warehouse when the thieves made their move, striking before the products could be distributed to retail outlets.

Authorities have described it as one of the largest gadget heists in recent years. Investigations are ongoing, but Samsung fans are being warned to be cautious of suspiciously cheap listings of these devices that may pop up on unofficial channels like Telegram or shady online marketplaces.

Why this heist is making headlines

The scale of the theft is staggering, not just because of the value but because it targeted Samsung’s most anticipated 2025 launches. The Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Flip 7, unveiled just last month, are already in high demand globally. Losing such a massive stockpile just days after launch is a major setback for the brand’s distribution in the UK and potentially other markets.

This isn’t the first time Samsung has been hit by large-scale theft. Back in 2020, parts for Galaxy smartphones worth over $330,000 (around ₹2.75 crore at the time) were stolen in Noida, India. That incident led to six arrests, including three truck drivers who were caught smuggling the parts.

What happens next?

Police in London are now working closely with Samsung and local authorities to track down the stolen goods. While no arrests have been made yet, investigators are scanning surveillance footage and monitoring online black markets for any trace of the devices. For Samsung, the focus is on ensuring customers waiting for pre-orders aren’t affected by the sudden disappearance of thousands of units.