Australian YouTuber’s iPhone stolen during the IPL final recovered by Aligarh Police

Australian YouTuber Jake Jeakings had travelled to India to witness the IPL final between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Gujarat Titans at the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium on May 31. However, amid the massive crowd exiting the stadium after the match, Jeakings discovered that his iPhone 16 Pro Max and wallet had been stolen, as per reports. 

Initially hoping the device would be recovered quickly, Jeakings began tracking the phone's location through Apple's tracking services. According to reports, the device first appeared on the Jaipur-Kishangarh route in Rajasthan before its location later shifted to Aligarh in Uttar Pradesh. Realising the phone was moving across states, he took to social media and appealed to police authorities for assistance. 

As per reports, the breakthrough came when the phone's signal was traced to the Shahjamal area under the Roravar police station limits in Aligarh. Acting on the information, local police, cyber experts and surveillance teams launched a coordinated search operation under the supervision of senior officers. Technical analysis eventually led investigators to a mobile repair shop, where the stolen iPhone had reportedly been brought for unlocking and repair. 

Police reportedly recovered the device intact and returned it to Jeakings. While the phone was found, the individual suspected of stealing it remains absconding. Investigators believe the suspect may have transported the device from Ahmedabad to Aligarh and attempted to bypass its security features by getting it unlocked. Efforts are continuing to identify and arrest those involved. 

The recovery held special significance for the Australian influencer. In a video and social media posts thanking the police, Jeakings revealed that the phone contained irreplaceable memories, including photographs of his late grandfather and beloved pets. He described the recovery as far more important than simply getting an expensive gadget back. 

Expressing gratitude, Jeakings publicly praised the Aligarh Police and specifically acknowledged officers involved in the operation. He said the team worked tirelessly to trace the device and that he was amazed by the resources deployed to recover it from hundreds of kilometres away. He also hinted that the investigation had uncovered a larger network linked to mobile thefts. 

Had the pleasure of picking up my phone which was pickpocketed from me in Ahmedabad during the IPL final ! @aligarhpolice nothing short of sensational.

Got to meet the man behind the operation in @abhi_gtm

Amazing guy and amazing person

Until next time Aligarh

See you… pic.twitter.com/ALyozBPMiz

— Jake Jeakings (@JakeJeakings1) June 8, 2026

The incident has generated significant attention online, with many social media users applauding the swift police action. The successful recovery has also been viewed as a positive example of how technology, social media and inter-state police coordination can help solve theft cases that might otherwise remain unresolved.