Losing a phone is extremely problematic, especially when you can’t even login using online accounts. The process appears odd. Several forgetful people have been observed trying to re-authenticate their accounts after their initial setup.
For starters, it isn’t difficult to restore access to your iCloud account. Your unique ‘username’ could either be your email address or phone number. You can try using Apple’s ‘Recover Your Apple ID‘ tool and then input it here to initiate the process of resetting your password.
Alternatively, you can also search for emails from Apple, such as receipts for app purchases, to confirm that a specific email belongs to you.
Unfortunately, if both mechanisms don’t help, there’s no way out. Apple can’t facilitate you in any way with an IMEI number. There’s just nothing you can do, at present, to use your IMEI number and unlock some version of ‘Find My’ map for your lost iPhone.
What you can do is call your local police and report the iPhone as stolen or misplaced. You can also call your mobile network operator to report the stolen phone and give them the IMEI number for blacklisting.
You won’t get your iPhone back but at least it will prevent anyone else from using it, at least the network functions.
It’s always advisable to check your device IMEI to make sure it hasn’t been blacklisted. Buyers should preferably meet sellers in person to verify the authenticity and legality of the phones they intend to purchase, for added security,