Ever wondered where all the stolen mobile phones disappear into thin air? That too even when it's traceable using its unique code? The answer was cracked by the Crime Branch Cell, a special unit of Mumbai Police, on Saturday on the basis of a tip-off.
A total of 480 smartphones, all stolen by using means like pickpocketing and snatching, were seized by the police team of Crime Branch Cell 6 and Trombay Police Station from Maharashtra Nagar at Mankhurd.
To think of why certain phones when being lost aren’t traceable, the answer lies here. Every phone has an International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI), which is a 15-digit number unique to each device. Generally, these IMEI numbers are used to track smartphones that may be stolen or compromised but, in this case, the victim, identified as Sambhaji Vithal Kolekar, erased the IMEI numbers of all the stolen devices and then sold them across the city and state.
Thieves who buy or sell stolen phones, use a 'flasher' to modify the IMEI number. It is a device that allows the user to alter the IMEI number by connecting the handset to a computer, which is also illegal.
The 34-year-old Kolekar, who hails from Chembur, is a so-called specialist in such illegal activities. Apart from the trafficking of stolen mobiles, he is also involved in activities like selling ‘ganja’ or marijuana, foreign liquors, and dangerous weapons like swords. All of these mentioned were seized from the accused’s location by the police which cost around Rs. 74,78,522.
“We had received a tip-off and so we started watching him and his activities for some time,” said Rehana Sheikh, senior police inspector of Trombay police station where the case is registered. As per Sheikh, the information they received also stated that he will attempt to sell a smartphone and accordingly they started to lay a trap for him.
Following him led the police to his place where he stores all the supplies, which was later busted, and an arrest was made. The products involved 490 smartphones, 1 laptop, heater machine, heater gun, 490 grams of ganja, 174 bottles of foreign liquor bottles, and 2 swords.
As per police, Kolekar is not alone in conducting this business as they suspect an accomplice. “The investigation to find the other guy is still on,” Sheikh added.
