Global smuggling gang busted in Hyderabad: 713 smartphones seized, 31 in custody

Hyderabad: The sleuths of the Commissioner’s Task Force and the local police busted an international gang involved in stealing and smuggling smartphones. The police arrested 31 persons including a Sudanese national. The 30 accused are residents of Hyderabad and they are repeat offenders, receivers and mobile technicians.

The police seized Rs 2 crores worth of property including 713 smartphones, a passenger auto, two computers and a laptop from the accused.

The police identified the Sudanese national as Mohamed Musa Hassan Gamaralanbia (26) who runs a phone accessory business, staying at Nanal Nagar in Hyderabad.

Disclosing the case details on Sunday, Commissioner’s Task Force (Hyderabad) deputy commissioner of police (DCP) S Rashmi Perumal said that in recent days, Hyderabad city has seen a rising spate of mobile phone snatchings in the process of which robberies, extortions and even murder have taken place.

While investigating this, the police discovered that a major criminal network has been operating in the city involving cell phone theft offenders, hosts of receivers of these stolen cell phones (both national and international) who are in the business of unlawful transport of these cell phones out of the country to sell them for illegal profits.

How do thieves make stolen cell phones untraceable?

Explaining what happens to phones after they are stolen, the DCP said that the investigation revealed that several stolen cell phones are being dismantled in niche markets.

“Their IMEI numbers are being changed and the resultant components such as mobile screen, camera, and speaker are subsequently being used as replacement parts for existing damaged mobiles received from customers at a fraction of price in comparison to original company rates. A few weeks ago, a similar major network of stolen cell phone rackets was busted by the Task Force and several persons were arrested,” the DCP said.

Explaining the case details and modus operandi of the accused, the DCP said that the accused who are cell phone theft offenders are committing thefts/extortion of cell phones in crowded areas like buses/ bus stations, wine shops and public meetings.

All the accused (except the Sudanese national) are natives of Hyderabad and friends. With desires to lead a lavish life and find their earnings insufficient, they collectively hatched a plan to commit theft/snatching of cell phones and further sell these stolen cell phones to receivers to earn money illegally.

These receivers have contacts with mobile technicians at select locations (Jagadeesh Market, Abids) who have expertise in unlocking cell phones and tampering with IMEI numbers by using unauthorised applications to conceal their offences.

It has also been discovered that the cell phone receivers have offered advance payments to the snatchers to encourage them to bring bulk quantities of cell phones. Subsequently, these cell phones were being sold to Mohamed Musa Hassan, who was illegally exporting these via sea route, the DCP said.

Rashmi Perumal said that after a thorough investigation, the Hyderabad police have apprehended the accused persons and seized 713 smartphones of various brands such as Apple iPhone, Samsung, Vivo, Redmi, Realme, Oneplus, Oppo and POCO from them.

Further investigation is underway.

Public advisory

The citizens of Hyderabad city are hereby advised to be vigilant when moving in crowded places and to report any snatching/theft incident to the police at the earliest.

Further, mobile shop owners in the city are cautioned to refrain from purchasing/selling stolen cell phones or engaging in illegal activities such as tampering with IMEI numbers as strict legal action will be taken against them.