HYDERABAD, February 10: Mobile theft gangs in Hyderabad have devised new strategies to evade detection by the Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR) portal. The CEIR portal, implemented by the central government, enables authorities to trace lost or stolen mobile phones using their International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) numbers. Since its inception, numerous stolen devices have been recovered, leading to the arrest of several culprits.
In response, these gangs are now smuggling stolen mobile phones to neighbouring countries such as Bangladesh and Nepal. By transporting the devices across international borders, they aim to prevent the IMEI numbers from being traced within India. Investigations have revealed that gangs from Rajasthan and the notorious ‘Dhar’ gang from Gujarat are involved in this cross-border smuggling. They sell the stolen phones to brokers in these countries at 30 to 60 per cent of their original value.
Recently, the Rachakonda police arrested four individuals from Rajasthan—Prabhat Singh, Nepal Singh, Tarun Pal Singh, and Parveen Singh—who had been operating in Hyderabad under the guise of auto drivers. They targeted mobile phone shops between midnight and 3 AM, conducting prior reconnaissance before executing the thefts. In areas like Meerpet and Pocharam IT corridor, they looted two shops, stealing approximately 60 mobile phones. The gang was apprehended by the Malkajgiri CCS Inspector Jalandhar Reddy’s team while preparing to smuggle the stolen devices to Nepal and Bangladesh.
Authorities have alerted police departments in other states about this emerging modus operandi. They are urging increased vigilance and collaboration to curb the cross-border smuggling of stolen mobile phones.
