Stolen iPhones from Pakistan Resurface in Dubai Markets Following Sophisticated Resets, Reveals Karachi Police
Stolen iPhones from Pakistan Resurface in Dubai Markets
KARACHI: In a startling revelation, local law enforcement agencies have uncovered a concerning trend of stolen or snatched iPhones from Pakistan being systematically resold after undergoing complex resetting procedures. The issue has gained prominence as numerous such iPhones have been traced back to individuals returning to Pakistan from Dubai, shedding light on an elaborate cross-border network of smartphone trafficking.
Deputy Inspector General (DIG) South, Irfan Baloch, shared with Geo News the alarming details of this ongoing criminal activity. He disclosed that the South zone police had meticulously cross-referenced the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) numbers of a staggering 10,237 distinct mobile phones that were either seized or reported stolen in Karachi between November 2022 and July 2023.
Within the South district alone, an impressive 423 mobile phones were successfully recovered out of a total of 1,230 cases investigated. Similarly, the City district's efforts resulted in the identification of IMEI numbers for 1,978 mobile phones, leading to the recovery of 345 devices and tracing of 989 others.
Significantly, the Keamari district saw a screening process applied to 1,452 mobile phones, resulting in the successful recovery of 377 devices and the tracing of 726 others. These numbers illustrate the scale and complexity of the issue at hand, raising concerns over the effectiveness of current security measures.
DIG Baloch also highlighted an alarming development in the case. He pointed out that substantial evidence indicates a link between the confiscated or stolen cellphones in Karachi and their subsequent sale in international markets, specifically in Dubai and Afghanistan. A notable case involves the smuggling of at least 22 mobile phones through Balochistan into Afghanistan, where they were illicitly sold in local markets and later seized.
What makes this operation even more sophisticated is that these stolen iPhones are undergoing intricate processes to bypass iCloud passcodes before being reset and resold in Dubai's bustling smartphone market. It is believed that those found in possession of these devices had initially procured them from local markets in Dubai, only to reintroduce them into the Pakistani market.
The Karachi police's efforts to unearth this intricate web of smartphone trafficking highlight the need for international collaboration to curb the ever-evolving tactics employed by tech-savvy criminals. As authorities strive to enhance security measures and tighten regulations, the mystery of the stolen iPhones serves as a stark reminder of the challenges in maintaining the integrity of the global smartphone market.
