[mothered]

Quick update: I have a friend working for a similar tech company(both are official apple retailers) and he said that returned devices go through a security check routine.
Since I paid them by credit card, I have the following risks:
- he said that they will be checking inside the box after the phone is returned and it won’t just be put back on stock to be sold

Are you sure It applies to each and every Apple store/retailer/dealer, both In-store and online?

Also, Is the check only done when paying by CC?

What do you guys recommend I do in this case? Give up the SE and try again using fake name and pay by cash?

It depends on your answer to the above questions.