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Pakistan is facing a new surge in illegal activities involving stolen mobile phones. A mafia network has emerged, specializing in reselling stolen phones after “patching” – a process that alters the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number, making them untraceable.
For a mere Rs500 to Rs1000, individuals selling stolen cellphones can easily get their IMEI numbers changed. As a result, these patched mobile phones flood the market at prices significantly lower than their original counterparts, making it difficult for ordinary citizens to identify the fraud.
The fraudulent practice bears resemblance to tampering with the engine or chassis numbers of stolen vehicles, but unlike vehicles, it’s relatively easier to restore the changed IMEI number of a mobile phone using specialized software. Only IMEI number-checking websites, the Citizens Police Liaison Committee (CPLC), or expert technicians have the capability to verify or restore the original IMEI number of a patched phone.
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This illicit trade primarily involves popular mobile phone brands like Samsung’s Note series, OnePlus, Motorola, and local mobiles. The mafia’s operations are concentrated in areas such as Orangi Town, Banaras, Quaidabad, Sakhi Hassan, and Saddar, where shopkeepers collude with both the police and government agencies.
Illegal mobile phones are often smuggled from Karachi to Quetta via cars or buses, with major illegal mobile phone patching workshops operating in Quetta. Those phones that cannot be patched find their way to Afghanistan.
To protect themselves from falling victim to this scam, people looking to buy second-hand mobile phones are advised to use IMEI checkinfo websites or contact the CPLC for verification. The fight against this growing criminal enterprise requires joint efforts from law enforcement agencies, the government, and vigilant citizens to curb street crime and robberies at gunpoint in the city.
** Taking the lead from Geo News
