Staff Reporter :
A team of Criminal Investigation Department (CID) arrested 14 persons for alleged involvement in mobile phone set snatching and selling by changing IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) number.
The arrestees are Monir Hossain, 46, Sohail Mia, 35, Hazrat Ali, 34, Sobuj, 35, Jahangir Hossain, 42, Mofizullah, 36, Emon Mia, 19, Anwar Hossain, 28, Wasim Hossain, 27, Rubel Hossain, 21, Tofazzal Hossain, 55, Amin, 38, Atiqul Islam, 35, and Tariqul Islam Babu, 28.
A special team of CID conducted raid in the Phoenix Road area of Shahbag and surrounding area on Wednesday night and arrested them.
CID’s Additional Deputy Inspector General
Sheikh Omar Farooq confirmed the matter at a press briefing at CID headquarters on Thursday.
He said that they recovered 183 mobile phone sets of different brands including Samsung, Oppo, Huawei, Nokia and iPhone worth Tk15 lakh from their possession.
This official said that the gang members used to snatch mobile phones in the busiest corners of the capital including Gulistan, Fulbaria, Golapshah Mazar and Mugda bus stand.
After the mugging, the gang would go to their specific mobile shops and change the IMEI number. Then they would sell them to some dishonest traders at various elite markets, he added.
Asked if the IMEI number of the iPhone could be changed, the CID official said it was not yet known whether the IMEI of the iPhone could be changed. However, they used to change IMEI numbers at almost all types of mobiles.
Asked how the general consumers would understand if the snatched mobiles were sold in the elite market, the additional DIG said that in this case, the people should buy mobile phone from that showroom which is approved by company or dealer.
