Firewall breach: 528 phones running on one IMEI number

Indore: The firewall has been breached — 528 cellphones were found running on one IMEI number — raising serious security concerns for smartphone users. Indore police busted a gang involved in cloning of IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) by ascertaining that as many as 528 mobile phones are being operated in district using the same unique identification number. In initial action, local police has seized as many as 62 smartphones worth Rs 10 lakh from users.

“When contacted, users of mobile phones having same IMEI number claimed to have found them either on road or purchased them from second-hand market. Users are being questioned thoroughly while appropriate action will be taken against those involved in changing IMEI number,” ASP (Crime branch) Amrendra Singh said. He added that police have managed ascertain presence of as many as 528 mobile phones with same IMEI number being operated in Indore, which is a serious security concern.