7 held for tampering with IMEI numbers of mobile handsets

The City Police have arrested seven persons, including a young woman in connection with the theft of mobile phones and tampering of International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number of mobile phones.

Addressing a media conference here on Tuesday, Police Commissioner Dr A Subramanyeshwara Rao said that the arrested are Asma Bhanu, 25, Rehman Sharif, 24, Naushad, 19, and Naveed Pasha, 21, all residents of Ghousia Nagar; Hemant, 26, of Ramakrishna Nagar; Mohammed Sharief, 34, of Udayagiri; and Mohammed Shoaib, 29, of Sathagalli Layout.

Police said that Asma Bhanu would pose as a wealthy woman and steal mobile phones from the bags and purses of women at the railway station, KSRTC bus stand, KR Hospital and other busy areas in the city.

Rehman Sharif, Naushad and Naveed Pasha, would snatch mobile phones of gullible people speaking over mobile phones. Their modus operandi was to snatch the phones while riding their bikes. They would operate in Nazarbad, Udayagiri, NR Mohalla, Krishnaraja Mohalla and Alanahalli. Hemanth would steal mobile phones in Lakshmipuram area.

Mohammed Sharief and Mohammed Shoaib run mobile repair shops and would buy stolen phones. They would tamper the IMEI numbers of the stolen mobile phones and sell them. Three tampering machines have been recovered from them.

The racket was unearthed as the duo were caught trying to sell high-end phones for a low price at Rajiv Nagar 2nd Stage. They were in possession of 11 smartphones when they were caught. Later, 22 mobile phones were recovered from them.