In a major haul, Delhi Police Crime Branch on Friday busted a gang that had changed the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) Number of around 500 stolen iPhones. Police said that they have recovered 39 iPhones in sealed boxes, 15 iPods, 3 iPads, 370 new and old iPhones without boxes, 250 body i.e. front displays and rear body of iPhones, laser machines for printing and a computer, printer and other tools.
Bhisham Singh, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) said that the accused, identified as Muneer Khan, Anash Khan, Mohd Hamza Khan and Mohd Ibrahim were arrested on June 15. The accused persons cheated several people on the pretext of selling genuine Apple iPhones.
"They used to refurbish old iPhones from China. They used to burn the IMEI of the stolen mobile phones and purchase motherboards of old mobile phones from China. later on, they used to get these mobile phones replaced in connivance with the staff of the Apple iPhone service center. After packing these phones in new, duplicate boxes with high quality accessories, they were selling these mobile phones at lucrative rates on eBay and through other shopkeepers," said a senior police officer.
Sleuths of Crime Branch were monitoring the rampant cases of mobile phone thefts. Subsequently, a team under ACP Ishawar Singh got a tip off about the involvement of a gang which was running an iPhone workshop in Filmistan and a store in Gaffar Market in Karol Bagh. It was found that Muneer Khan with his associates were running a workshop at Filmistan. In the workshop, the numbers of new and old iPhones, two laptops, computer spare parts and machines were found. Muneer was getting iPhones assembled with the help of two boys.
Muneer was apprehended with a bag from which 12 different models of iPhones were recovered. On sustained interrogation, he revealed that he had purchased some mobile phones from China and some of them were stolen mobile phones. He revealed that laser machine was used to change IMEI of stolen mobile phones. later on, he arranged to replace these phones in connivance with staff of Apple iPhone service center. After packing in new duplicate boxes with high quality accessories, they were selling these mobile phones in market as new ones without bill.
"The accused gave the stolen iPhones a name ‘Flight’. Once they got the phones, they used to throw away the SIM tray and remove the display of those phones which were broken. In the next stage, motherboard of the phone containing inbuilt IMEI was removed and then taken to China to destroy the evidence that the phone was indeed stolen. Once the IMEI is burnt, they along with the duplicate or first copy of iPhone display, brought the same instrument to India. This instrument is again fitted. The SIM tray which was removed on receiving the stolen phone is embossed with a new IMEI which was procured from various sources," said Bhisham Singh.
Duping the customer who used to visit the repair shop to get their iPhones repaired, the customer under the delusion that his phone is under garranty shelled out Rs 15,000 to get the display fixed while had to pay anything up to Rs 4,000 for a replacement.
"Meanwhile, the accused through 'Wechat' App used to obtain such IMEIs from China, which were under warranty and could be replaced from Apple Care Center. The IMEI used to emboss through laser machine on the SIM tray. According to the accused, there is a huge market in Hong Kong of old iPhone under warranty. These phones come to China and from china the accused person used import these phones to India. The accused further disclosed that they brought SIM tray from China without etching the IMEI and many such SIM tray have been recovered.
Accused used laser printing machine for printing of new IMEI on the SIM tray and body," said another senior police officer.