There was a recent post on Karachi Metblogs about the increase in the number of snatched mobile phones (and other crimes) in Karachi. The figures are quite alarming. This is from a leading newspaper and is becoming more and more common:
The bandits in various parts of the metropolis snatched at least 69 cell phones, 17cars and 25 motorcycles on Wednesday
Things seem quite desperate and no amount of law enforcement (if you ignore the allegations that they themselves are the culprits) or cries from citizens have been effective at stemming this trend. Though the situation is much better in Islamabad, you do occasionally lose your mobile and it isn’t fun. I lost one to a mugging very soon after I arrived here though thankfully, there hasn’t been any incident after that.
So how do you deal with this threat? Haven’t all the big players in the mobile market managed to come up with a solution to something as simple as mobile theft? Try IMEI.
The IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) is a unique 15-digit code used to identify an individual GSM mobile telephone to a GSM network
According to UK Police’s National Mobile Phone Crime Unit‘s website, this ID can be used to lock and effectively immobilize a mobile (no pun intended). The site has details on how this works and how you can find out your phone’s ID.
For Pakistanis, you may report your stolen mobile on the Citizens-Police Liaison Committee website. I have no idea how well it works, but if all the victims of this crime started doing this, it may just be the deterrent that is required to put an end to this menace. Happy mobiling.
21 thoughts on “Mobile theft prevention using IMEI”
Not of much use as there are softwares and dongles available to change most of the available model cells IMEI. I have seen people doing this in market for very reasonable rates. Thats why we see so many Sprint and T.Mobile stolen sets available here in Karachi coz most of those sets have no record in local Cellular service providers database and they can easily be unlocked by changing IMEI.
IMEI can be changed used to be a major problem in the UK.
How you solve this problem on a national level:
ONE blacklist database only.
Handsets where you can not change IMEI
The reality is most phones used a EEPROM where it can be reprogrammed quite easily by someone who understands a little about electronics. This can be more difficult such as SE but once weak encryption cracked, their is a large demand for this and crackers supply for $$$.
Nokia have a pROM. You can only flash it once, DCT4 phones in the past when expensive still altered, a chip was programmed and solder on. Much more expensive and difficult for idiots.
What happens is they are simply exported out, Nigera Pakistan. Need a global database.
the IMEI no of the gsm phone could be traced but anyone guide me 2 the right way for it .i had lost 6 mobiles in 4 years recent was nokia n 72 please guide me to right way where i should have to go
i am still alive u call me still > look i need a software for tracing imei , from which i can track down person or nework i mean gsm server provider and to know where that cell phone or divice is , kindly help me out !
Recently i lost my Nokia N 91 mobile. i need to know how to track the person and the service provider. to know where the mobile is now used.
Pls help me out to find my mobile.
hi
dear friends,
dear friends,
My nokia 6630 handset got stolen last week.I have its IMEI no and want to lock it permanently so that it would be useless for the thief.Is there any provision to do so and what are the steps towards it.
Your helpful replies are requested at the earliest.pls help
Subject: Loss of Mobile (Nokia N70-Music Edition)
I Manjunath Puttabuddi have lost my mobile on 25th June 2007 in HDFC Bank – Kasturiba Road. My mobile was lost during my bank transaction; I was using Airtel sim 9845964454 in it
Name : Manjunath Puttabuddi
Residential Address : #15/12, 80 Feet Outer Ring Road,
Papareddy Palya , Nagarbhavi 2nd Stage , Bangalore – 560072
(Near Papareddy Palya Circle)
Phone Model : Nokia (N70-Music Edition)
Make : 2007
IMEI Number : 355521010604755
Item Number : 0039359
Last Call received : 99869 54200
Phone lost date : 25th June 2007
I would highly appreciate your effort if you can help me and recover the phone. If you have any clarification please feel free to contact me on 080-23210663 or 9845964454.
Please do the needful
Thanking you
I Javed have lost my mobile on 15 2007 in Bakrani near Larkana. My mobile was lost in the way to Cadet College Larkana; I was using mobilink 03013160550 in it
Name : Javed
Residential Address : Cadet College Larkana
Cotnact: 074-4080091-96 , Mob.03003411872
Phone Model : Nokia 1110 Make : 2005 IMEI Number : 356638003391064 Phone lost date : 15 July 2007
I would highly appreciate your effort if you can help me and recover the phone. If you have any clarification please feel free to contact me on 03003411872
If recovery is not possible kindly close the set with immediate effect.
Please do the needful
Thanking you
Dear Sir,
I have misplaced my Mobile Hand set . I want to stop of using that mobile handset that no can use it.
The details are as under:
Name: Pradip Gupta
Address: F-198/199 Devdeep Nagar,Old Padra Road, Baroda ,Gujarat- India
Phone Make and Model : Nokia 3230 Mobile Phone
Last Used No.: It may be 9879563083
Email for communication: pradeep.gupta@rubamin.com
Missed Date: 25.08.2007
IMEI No: 352740014393032
Please help me .
With Regards
Pradeep Gupta
I have lost mobile on 14th September 2007. while i was driving
Rate of Mobile: Rs.10000
Model : L7 Motorola
IMEI No:359411-00-26383-16
Please help me
Paul Alex.I
I have lost mobile on 14th September 2007. while i was driving
Rate of Mobile: Rs.10000
Model : L7 Motorola
IMEI No:359411-00-26383-16
Please help me
Paul Alex.I
HELLO,
I HAVE LOST MY MOBILE ON FIRST WEEK OF SEPTEMEBER
IN PUNA.MY NOBILE IS NOKIA N70.MY MOBILE LOST DURING PAYING AUTO RIKSHA PERSON.i need to know how to track the person and the service provider. to know where the mobile is now used.I have its IMEI no and want to lock it permanently so that it would be useless for the thief.Is there any provision to do so and what are the steps towards it.
Your helpful replies are requested at the earliest.pls help me.
MY IMEI NO.IS356992010218228
My Mobile no. is 00971505528030
would highly appreciate your effort if you can help me and recover the phone. If you have any clarification please feel free to contact me on 00971505528030
I have lost mobile on 4 august 2007
please give me information about phone
phone model nokia 3220
imel no 357595002454781
coluor black
DEAR SIR
I have lost my new purchased sonyerecsson mobile set Now i want to know which number is using my lost set it would be highly aprciated if u help me in this connection
Thanks a lot
Dear Sir,
I’m vishal thakur,While I traveling in bus my mobile nokia 6600 mobile thefted by some body. Here is I have given my IEMI no, I have no other sources to help me except u!
Please help me, it’s a very new, i bought it before 3 months
please help me sir.
Name: Vishal thakur
Address: 296 saini vihar
Phase 1 baltana.
Punjab.
India.
Phone Model: Nokia 6600
Make: NOKIA
Color: Black
last used No: 9815282412
E-mail: rock00019@yahoo.com
Missed date: 03.07.2007
IEMI No: 356640009263008
Presently I am using another no mention bellow
09878455872(09888955872)
Please help me sir
I never forget your help,
Thanks
Regards
Vishal thakur
sir my mobile phone nokia3250 is lost today i dont have its imei no but i have its telenor pakistan connection no 03456697855
Sir I have lost my Nokia 1600 and i also don’t know its IMEI No and I have re-opened my number from the company. Please send me some solution. thanks
Sir, My Uncle lost his Nokia 3230 mobile.his IMEI no. is 357099007313936.
How would we get that mobile. please me way.or if can help me please do it.
Thanks
i have lost my handset last two week i want to block it from anybody usage
MAKE:NEC E616V
COLOR:BLACK
IMEI NO:353182009074583
LAST NUMBER:+2347037726224
LAWAL IBRAHIM KATSINA ABUJA NIGERIA.
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