Gang suspected of sending up to 40K stolen UK iPhones to China

> The Met Police investigation discovered street thieves were being paid up to £300 per handset - and the force said stolen devices are being sold in China for up to £4,000 each, given they are internet-enabled and more attractive for those trying to bypass censorship.

This doesn't make sense. You can buy "internet-enabled" phones in China easily, the Great Firewall isn't device-level. Why would a stolen iPhone be worth more than a new one?