Case Summary
- Customer
- Derek Fan
- Item
- Apple iPhone
- Authority
- IGA / Istanbul Airport Lost & Found
- Destination
- United States
- Result
- Customer confirmed receipt on 16 September 2026
A phone found in Istanbul, an owner already abroad
A phone found in Istanbul, an owner already abroad
Derek's iPhone was with IGA / Istanbul Airport Lost & Found, but he was outside Turkey. Recovering it meant more than booking a shipment: the airport's authorization and release procedures had to be completed before the device could leave its custody.
Ana Kurye assisted with the collection process and the arrangements needed to return the phone to Derek in the United States.
Authorization through the Turkish Consulate in Miami
Authorization through the Turkish Consulate in Miami
On 6 September 2026, Derek reported that he had an appointment at the Turkish Consulate in Miami to arrange a Power of Attorney. He was also waiting for the required GDPR / KVKK-related documentation from Lost & Found.
He completed the consular Power of Attorney on 8 September. In this case, the authorization and Lost & Found documentation were part of preparing for collection by a local representative.
Collection from IGA Lost & Found on 9 September
Collection from IGA Lost & Found on 9 September
Ana Kurye attended Istanbul Airport on 9 September 2026. After the airport's verification and release procedures were completed, the iPhone was successfully collected.
The recovered phone could then be prepared for its journey overseas. The collection photograph shows the device at the airport Lost & Found counter; a second photograph shows it at Ana Kurye.
Preparing the recovered iPhone for DHL shipment
Preparing the recovered iPhone for DHL shipment
DHL was selected for international shipping. Ana Kurye prepared the phone for shipment and requested purchase or order documentation where available to help support the shipping paperwork. The device was declared as a used personal item.
Shipping insurance and value documentation were discussed. After the shipment preparation was completed, the package was handed to DHL.
A customs delay before the confirmed delivery
A customs delay before the confirmed delivery
The shipment encountered a customs delay in the destination country involving possible duty or tax charges. Those decisions belong to the destination-country authorities; Ana Kurye does not control foreign customs assessments or release decisions.
On 16 September 2026, Derek confirmed that he had successfully received his iPhone. This confirmed receipt is the final outcome of the case.
What this recovery involved
What this recovery involved
A found phone cannot always be sent overseas immediately. Depending on the individual case, the owner may need to complete authorization, satisfy Lost & Found release requirements and arrange local collection before international shipping paperwork can be prepared.
Derek's case illustrates those separate steps. Other travellers should confirm the requirements for their own Lost & Found record and check whether their item is eligible for their intended carrier and destination.
Derek's public Google review
Derek's public Google review
On 28 September 2026, Derek published a Google review describing how Ana Kurye helped him claim and ship his iPhone home. His review below confirms the successful service in his own words.
Derek Fan — customer feedback
Lost my iPhone while transiting through Istanbul airport was an absolute nightmare, but the experience of getting it back was surprisingly smooth thanks to Ana Kurye, she help me to guide, claim, and ship the iPhone back to me, Huge thanks for the honest, efficient, and reliable service.Read Derek Fan's Google review
