Hyderabad mobile shops under scanner for unlocking phones without ownership checks

Mobile phone repair shops in Hyderabad are under scrutiny for allegedly unlocking devices without verifying customer identities or ownership. Cybercrime officials have warned technicians to check identification and IMEI details, amid concerns that stolen phones are being unlocked and security features bypassed

Hyderabad: Mobile phone shops in city are coming under the scanner for unlocking devices without verifying the identity of customers, with some technicians reportedly ignoring repeated advisories issued by cybercrime officials.

Sources said several mobile repair shops, for quick earnings, are unlocking phones, removing patterns and bypassing security features without asking customers to produce Aadhaar cards, purchase bills or the original gadget box to establish ownership. Technicians are reportedly charging between Rs. 500 and Rs. 700 for unlocking a mobile phone.

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According to sources, a number of individuals, including those involved in property offences, are approaching mobile markets to get locked devices opened. In several cases, stolen phones are allegedly being brought to shops for unlocking. When police trace such devices and contact the shop owners, technicians either hand over the details or claim ignorance about the ownership of the gadgets.

Sources further revealed that some persons are approaching technicians with advanced knowledge to tamper with or tamper the IMEI ((International Mobile Equipment Identity) number of stolen devices by paying around Rs. 3,000 to Rs. 3,500, making it difficult for law enforcement agencies to track the phones.

Cyber police officials have repeatedly advised mobile repair technicians to verify the identity of customers before providing unlocking or repair services. Shops have been instructed to check the IMEI number through the Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR) portal to ascertain whether a device has been reported lost or stolen.

Reputed mobile repair centers usually collect government-issued identification proof, prepare service job sheets and seek purchase invoices or original boxes before undertaking major procedures such as factory reset bypasses or account unlocking.

Officials warned that technicians who knowingly assist criminals in accessing stolen devices could face legal action. Cyber crime officials said if an investigation establishes that stolen property offenders repeatedly got phones unlocked at a particular shop, the shop owner or technician could also be booked for supporting and encouraging criminal activities.