In a significant crackdown on cybercrime and illegal electronics trade, Delhi Police's Special Cell has uncovered a sophisticated racket involved in assembling mobile phones illegally and tampering with IMEI numbers. The operation led to the arrest of four individuals and the seizure of approximately 1,500 mobile phones along with sophisticated equipment used for the illegal activities.
Major Raid in Delhi's Gaffar Market Area
The police conducted raids at multiple locations in the Gaffar Market area of Delhi, which has long been known as a hub for electronic goods. During the operation, law enforcement officials discovered a fully functional illegal mobile phone assembly unit operating without any proper authorization or licenses.
The mastermind behind this sophisticated operation has been identified as Asif, a resident of Jamia Nagar, who was operating the racket with technical expertise in mobile phone hardware and software manipulation. His accomplices included individuals responsible for sourcing components, assembly, and distribution of the illegal devices.
Sophisticated IMEI Tampering Operation Uncovered
Investigators found that the accused were not just assembling phones illegally but were actively engaged in cloning and tampering with International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) numbers. IMEI numbers serve as unique identifiers for mobile devices, similar to fingerprints for humans, and are crucial for tracking stolen devices and preventing mobile network access for illegal phones.
The racket used specialized software and equipment to change IMEI numbers of stolen or smuggled phones, making them untraceable and allowing them to be sold in the market as legitimate devices. This practice poses serious security threats as it enables criminals to use mobile phones for illegal activities without being tracked by law enforcement agencies.
Massive Seizure of Equipment and Mobile Phones
During the raids, police confiscated substantial evidence including:
- Approximately 1,500 mobile phones of various brands
- Specialized software and hardware for IMEI tampering
- Mobile assembly tools and equipment
- Large quantities of mobile phone components and spare parts
- Documentation related to the illegal business operations
The seized equipment included advanced programming devices capable of overwriting original IMEI numbers with new codes, effectively creating new identities for the mobile devices. This sophisticated operation had been running successfully for a significant period before police intervention.
Serious Implications for National Security
This racket raises serious concerns about national security and public safety. By creating untraceable mobile phones, the accused were potentially enabling various criminal activities including terrorism, extortion, fraud, and other organized crimes where communication devices need to remain anonymous.
IMEI tampering is a grave offense under Indian law, specifically covered under the Indian Telegraph Act and relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code. The practice not only facilitates criminal activities but also causes significant revenue loss to both the government and legitimate mobile manufacturers.
Police officials emphasized that such illegal operations undermine the entire mobile security ecosystem and create challenges for law enforcement agencies in tracking criminals who use such tampered devices. The investigation is ongoing to uncover the entire network involved in this racket, including suppliers of stolen phones and distributors of the tampered devices.
The bust comes as part of increased vigilance by Delhi Police against cybercrime and electronic fraud, particularly in markets known for dealing in electronic goods. Authorities have warned consumers to purchase mobile phones only from authorized dealers and to verify IMEI numbers of devices before making purchases.
