ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Zonal Office Lahore, working closely with the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) Gujranwala, conducted two successful raids targeting illegal IMEI tampering and the sale of cloned smartphones in Gujranwala.
These enforcement actions are part of PTA’s ongoing zero-tolerance policy against mobile device identifier manipulation.
Raids and Seizures
The first raid occurred at Google Valley Mobile Plaza in Model Town, where authorities seized 19 tampered and cloned phones and arrested the shop owner.
The second raid took place at Musa Mobile in Main Market, where six tampered devices were confiscated, but the shop owner managed to escape amid the crowd.
Among the confiscated phones were models like Google Pixel, OnePlus, Motorola, and Samsung S23 Ultra, all altered with reconfigured IMEIs linked to lower-priced devices.
Notably, one device had an IMEI associated with Disney Mobile, a brand not officially available in Pakistan. FIRs have been filed, and investigations are ongoing.
National Security and Public Safety Concerns
IMEI tampering and cloned phones present serious threats to national security by enabling criminal anonymity and facilitating cybercrimes, financial fraud, and abductions.
PTA emphasizes public vigilance and urges citizens to report any suspicious mobile phone cloning or tampering activities.
Stronger regulatory measures are being implemented, and offenders will face strict legal consequences under the law.
