8 held for selling stolen phones after changing IMEI code

The Delhi Police have arrested eight people for selling stolen mobiles phone after changing their unique International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) numbers. Erasing of the code makes the task of tracking the stolen phones difficult and also poses a major security risk.

The police also seized a software used to change the IMEI code, and 750 high-end phones worth Rs 1.3 crore, from the possession of the accused.

The accused were identified as Qayyum, Kallu, Gaurav Mittal, Rajendra Agrawal, Gaurav Kumar, Khalid, and Irfan.

"We have recovered 735 mobile phones worth Rs 1.30 crore," Deputy Commissioner of Police Romil Baaniya said. Three stolen cars, and equipment and accessories used to erase the IMEI numbers were also recovered.

One of the arrested accused is an engineer, who runs a shop in Gaffar Market, Karol Bagh. He allegedly changed the IMEI codes of stolen mobile phones and reset them to factory settings using a Chinese software, a police officer said.

The gang worked at four levels. The first level comprised pickpockets and snatchers, the second of receivers, the third of engineers and the fourth set of another set of receivers who sold the phones, the officer said. The pickpockets and snatchers charged anywhere between Rs 2,500 and Rs 5,000.