ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Lahore Zonal Office, working with the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) Gujranwala, conducted two successful raids in Sialkot targeting illegal sale of cloned and patched mobile phones.
In the first raid at Electro Mart, Allama Iqbal Chowk, authorities seized a mobile phone with a tampered IMEI and arrested the shop owner.
The second raid at Rehman Mobile Centre, also at Allama Iqbal Chowk, resulted in the confiscation of four phones with altered IMEIs, and the owner was apprehended on site.
Confiscated devices included various Google Pixel models with reconfigured IMEIs designed to appear as lower-priced units.
FIRs have been filed, and investigations are ongoing.
Serious Threats of IMEI Tampering
PTA emphasized its zero-tolerance policy towards illegal modification of mobile device identifiers.
Tampering with IMEIs and selling cloned phones pose risks to national security and public safety.
Such practices enable criminals to operate anonymously and facilitate cybercrime, financial fraud, and other serious offenses.
Public Alert and Regulatory Actions
The PTA urges the public to stay alert and report suspicious activities related to phone cloning or tampering.
Regulatory enforcement is being strengthened to combat these illegal practices.
Violators will face strict legal action under existing laws to protect consumers and national security.
