The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Zonal Office Lahore, in coordination with the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) Gujranwala, carried out three successful raids in Gujrat targeting the illegal trade of tampered and cloned mobile phones.
During these operations, authorities seized 45 mobile phones with altered IMEI numbers. The first raid, conducted at Gulzar-e-Madina Road, resulted in the confiscation of 12 devices and the arrest of two suspects.
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In the second raid at Zaib Super Market, officials recovered 13 phones and detained one individual. The third operation, held at Kashmir Plaza, led to the recovery of 20 phones and the arrest of three more individuals. Many of the seized phones, including Google Pixel and OnePlus models, had their IMEIs reprogrammed to match cheaper devices. FIRs have been registered, and further investigations are underway.
The PTA emphasized its zero-tolerance stance against IMEI tampering, highlighting that such practices threaten national security by enabling cybercrimes, financial fraud, and other illegal activities.
The authority has urged the public to report any suspected cases of phone cloning or tampering, warning that strict legal action will be taken against those involved in these offenses.
