IMEI code changing nexus busted; 779 mobile phones recovered

The Ghaziabad police today claimed to have busted a gang which purchased stolen mobiles and sold them after changing their International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) numbers.
Over 700 mobile phones were recovered from this gang, they claimed.
According to officials, the crime branch and Kotwali police had launched a drive 'Black Hat' in which gangs that sold stolen and snatched mobiles after changingtheir IMEI codes were on the radar.
Superintendent of Police (SP) Akash Tomar said that Chand, Akram, Kasif, Shanu, Gaurav, Afsar, Manoj and Hariom have been arrested from a communication shop in the Navyug market in the Kotwali area.

"The mastermind of the gang Hariom confessed to purchasing stolen and snatched mobiles and changing their IMEI codes with the help of his accomplices Chand, Kasif, Shanu and Akram by using software which was purchased by them from Gaffar market in Karol Bagh in New Delhi," Tomar said.
Hariom confessed that except Apple and Blackberry, they got success in changing the IMEI codes of all other mobile phones.
The officer also claimed that the police had recovered 779 mobile phones, one computer LED screen, two laptops, 20 data cables and other apparatuses used in changing IMEI numbers.