Received an empty box, and paypal asks me to police report

[Temp20240109X]

Hello

After many years of using ebay and online orders, this is my first time going through an empty box situation, and I am curious if anyone can help me.

I purchased iPhone 13 (used) and received an empty box last week. Immediately after UPS person dropped off the package, I retrieved it within 5 minutes and when I first saw it, it just did not look right. Without a doubt, it was an empty bubble envelope with retaped (which seems weird) with nothing but a receipt in it. Immediately after, I filed a Paypal claim and today, I received a result saying "Report filed with a law enforcement agency or government organization".

I have never done this so no idea what it means to report filed with a law enforcement agency or where to start. I read some posts that they won't get involved since it could've been a Postal issue (which is UPS), but Paypal wants a police report. In my opinion, I think the seller is a reputable seller so I think it could've been the shipping company issue (I heard many stories about iPhone getting stolen). Anyway, I really need my money back, since it is a lot, and I am not sure where and how should I go from here. Can someone help me what and where do I need to go for the report? Is it local police? Call?

Today, I retrieved a video showing UPS person handing

[rightbydefault]

Businesses are not criminal investigation and prosecution agencies. Reporting the theft is a serious step as you are accusing the person who delivered your parcel (who is identifiable) of being a thief and there are consequences of making false accusations. Thus you are acting in Good Faith by undertaking that step and will reassure PayPal that you are a  victim of a real crime. PayPal will have to persuade their insurers that paying out is justified. The police will be able to access details of your phone and maybe trace it. These are a lay person's thoughts.