The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Zonal Office Lahore, in coordination with the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) Gujranwala, carried out three targeted raids in Gujrat to dismantle operations involved in the sale of tampered and cloned mobile devices.
The raids led to the seizure of 45 mobile phones with reprogrammed or tampered International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) numbers.
These illegal modifications are often used to bypass regulatory checks and conceal the identity of devices, posing a serious risk to national security.
The first raid, conducted at Gulzar-e-Madina Road, resulted in the recovery of 12 cloned mobile phones and the arrest of two suspects. A second raid at Zaib Super Market led to the confiscation of 13 tampered devices and the detention of one individual.
The final raid took place at Kashmir Plaza, where authorities seized 20 mobile phones and apprehended three persons involved in the illicit trade.
Among the seized devices were high-end models, including Google Pixel and OnePlus phones, that had their IMEIs illegally altered to match those of cheaper handsets.
The manipulation of IMEI numbers is not only a violation of telecom regulations but also facilitates criminal activities such as cybercrime, financial fraud, and even abductions by allowing perpetrators to operate anonymously.
First Information Reports (FIRs) have been filed, and investigations are ongoing to trace the broader network behind the cloning operations.
Reaffirming its strict stance, the PTA (Pakistan Telecommunication Authority) emphasized its zero-tolerance policy toward IMEI tampering and mobile phone cloning. The authority warned that such violations will result in severe legal consequences.
The PTA (Pakistan Telecommunication Authority) has urged the public to remain alert and report any suspicious mobile-related activity to the authorities. It also reiterated its commitment to strengthening regulatory oversight and collaborating with law enforcement agencies to combat the rising threat of mobile device tampering across Pakistan.