Mobile theft racket linked to Nepal and China busted

A sophisticated mobile theft racket with connections extending from Pune and Mumbai to West Bengal, Nepal, and China has been exposed. The Swargate police, led by Police Inspector (Crime) Geeta Bagwade, have arrested a young man operating a mobile repair shop and seized 102 mobile phones and three laptops. The suspect has allegedly sold spare parts from nearly 600 stolen mobiles across various states and directly to China. The stolen phones were being resold after their International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) numbers were hacked, making them untraceable.

The police were initially puzzled by the sophisticated methods used in these thefts. The investigation has revealed a new ‘modus operandi’ where stolen mobiles are quickly dismantled, and their parts are sold internationally.

The accused have been identified as Osama Shafiq Shaikh (22, a resident of Syed Nagar, Hadapsar and a native of Kumbhar Pimpalgaon, Ghansawangi, Jalna) and Imran Taj Shaikh (30, a resident of Ashraf Nagar, Kondhwa). The police said that 10 cases have been registered against Imran at various police stations. The police are searching for the mastermind.

Geeta Bagwade received information about Imran, who was detained on suspicion. Initially, he provided misleading information. However, Bagwade instructed the investigation team to probe deeper. Based on information from Imran, Osama was also detained. A more thorough investigation revealed a racket selling mobile spare parts.

The police investigation found that nearly 600 mobile phones had been dismantled and sold for parts. Initially, stolen mobiles were sold abroad. Over time, a method to hack the IMEI numbers emerged. Now, the modus operandi involves selling mobile spare parts in Nepal and China.