Gang Involved in Changing IMEI Numbers for Rs. 500 Arrested

Shafeeq Abad Police has arrested a gang of nine people involved in changing the IMEI number of stolen phones. The gang was reselling the phones with changed IMEIs in the local market.

The police recovered flashing devices from the culprits which were used to modify the IMEI number on any phone. For those who don’t know, an IMEI number is unique to every phone and is used to block stolen phones from working.

The police also apprehended and identified one individual named Akhtar who supplied the software used to change IMEI numbers. He was nabbed from Hall Road.

Youtube video

According to a report aired by City 42 news, the gang also included an engineer who helped them erase all data on stolen mobile devices.

The gang charged Rs. 500 per phone for changing the IMEI number. Doing so made the phone untraceable and usable again.

This trend of changing IMEI numbers is alarming to say the least. Criminals and even terrorists can then use these phones to carry out their objectives, with no fear of being traced back via their mobile phones.

Earlier this year, the Citizens-Police Liaison Committee (CPLC) and the Karachi Electronics Dealers Association devised a new strategy to ensure that stolen phones couldn’t be sold at the markets. Shop keepers were advised to fill out a form for every used mobile phone they bought, including the IMEI number. The shop keeper could then verify those details before buying it from the CPLC helpline 1102, and this way any stolen sets could be identified. The new process made the shop keeper responsible for following the standard operating procedure (SOPs).

However, since this strategy involves making use of IMEI numbers, their efforts may prove to be insufficient.

The FIA needs to look into this matter urgently and take the appropriate measures to punish criminals who are found involved in this practice.

via More News

Stay Connected with ProPakistani

Get the latest news, tech updates, telecom insights, and business stories wherever you prefer.

Add ProPakistani to Preferred Sources and see more of our stories in Google Search and Top Stories.


  • Simple solution is to link IMEIs of every imported phone with Mobile Companies. Those phones which are snatched and have new IMEI will not be serviced by any Mobile Carrier. This might take a while, however if implemented the Mobile snatching will diminish to Zero.

    There will then be millions of phones which will not be serviced which includes, snatched ones and the illegally imported ones.

  • Iska ek hi hal ha k IMEI ko Family ki Tree ki NiCs se Bind krdia jae, har mob ki ImEi Cnic se attached ho, kisi or mobile me sim lgaen to sim na chale, or abi tak jitne b mobile market me sab sims ki trah register Cnic se attach kie jaen through Nadra Offices, isse mobiles ki chori 0 hojaegi.
    Chori k mobiles ki b Imei change hoti ha or gray channel se lae gae mobiles ki Imei b change krdi jati ha.

    • Sunne me ye b aya tha k sirf Pakistan me sale hue Mobiles ki ImEi ko Mobile Network Allow krenge baqi sab Imeis block hojaengin, per ye is maamle me kaam ni aega, q k lakho phone log rakh k new lelete han, to Dukan wale unki Imei charha k Chori k mob bechenge.

  • what about the Gang looting the country when will you apprehend them, mr powerful FIA that can only arrest poor people with no political support.


  • Get Alerts

    ProPakistani Community

    Join the groups below to get latest news and updates.



    >