On Tuesday, the Ahmedabad Cybercrime Cell arrested a mobile shop owner for allegedly using a trap to change the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) numbers of mobile phones.
Abdul Khalid, who runs a mobile shop in the area, was arrested. According to Cybercrime Cell sources, they received a tip about the IMEI number swapping service offered at “Mannat Mobile Shop” in the Janpath complex near Ahmedabad Nehru Nagar junction. “We sent a dummy with a mobile phone who was told to go to Abdul’s shop and ask him to change the phone’s IMEI number. As directed, the bait went to the shop and asked Abdul to change the phone’s IMEI number “according to the source.
Abdul informed the decoy that he could change the IMEI number for Rs 1400. To make the change, Abdul advised the decoy to deposit the phone for two days. After two days, the decoy returned to the shop to retrieve the phone.
The latter checked the IMEI on receipt and discovered that it had been changed. He notified the cybercrime police, who rushed to the scene and arrested Abdul. During interrogation, Abdul admitted to changing the IMEI numbers of mobile phones using an Ultimate Multi Tool (UMT) software on his computer, according to Cybercrime police.
ACP Cybercrime JM Yadav said that the police have registered a case against the accused under sections 420, 465, 468, and 471 of the Indian Penal Code and section 25 of the Indian Telegram Act 1985. “We are questioning the accused and will also examine the software he used. We will also investigate whether the accused altered the IMEI numbers of stolen phones “He stated.