[mothered]

seem unlikely once you get the refund email and the Apple specialist accepts the refund since it would have been through too many hands at that point

^ Precisely.

Reverse refund or charge card again once refund is fully processed

For the reasons above, It will be very difficult, If not Impossible, to hold you liable for the event.

Blacklist IMEI with all carriers

Possible, but unlikely.

Iphone displays the "This device has been disabled and is being tracked. Local authorities will be alerted." message, which was shown once looters connected stolen iPhones to wifi

Extremely unlikely.