Chinese online sellers tout 'special' iPhone 6 editions, but they don't exist

Exploiting mainland consumers' eagerness for the latest iPhones, unscrupulous online merchants are claiming that not only can they source the trendy devices, they even have access to a "special Macau edition".

Apple's iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus will be available not only in silver, gold and space grey - as the tech giant's CEO Tim Cook told the world this week - there are also special customised editions available in pink, yellow, blue and other colours, one mainland online vendor has claimed.

An Apple customer service employee dismissed such claims. The only customisation Apple offered was to expand the internal memory, she said.

While mainland China is Apple's second-largest market, it will not be among the first places to see the new iPhones, which go on sale in Hong Kong and eight other markets next week. Apple has not confirmed when they will be released on the mainland, though it had previously said on its website that it would be on September 26. The date was removed from Apple's website this week without explanation.

The apparent snub has irked consumers on the mainland.

Those eager to get an iPhone 6 early are turning to online stores. According to the outlet on Taobao, the "special Macau edition" will cost 1,000 yuan more than the "normal" version. Despite the hefty 3,888 yuan pre-order charge, the shop has received more than 20,000 inquiries since Wednesday and 168 customers have made deposits.