KARACHI, Jan 4: Cellphones containing identical International Mobile Equipment Identity numbers are being sold across the country’s electronic markets, causing a number of cellphones to be blocked when the blocking is meant for a single handset.

An IMEI number is supposed to be unique to a cellphone and is mostly inscribed on its battery.

The replication of IMEI numbers for various cellphones was discovered when blocking of one handset by the Citizen Police Liaison Committee led to the blocking of many cellphones.

The CPLC also received complaints from individuals whose cellphones got blocked when the cellphone bearing their IMEI number was blocked by law-enforcement authorities.

Well-placed sources told Dawn that an investigation revealed that cellphones containing common IMEI numbers were being smuggled into the country. They are sold with locally produced warranty cards. Such handsets were generally cheaper than brand-new sets, they said.

Sources said that investigations further revealed that the packing and the warranty cards for these refurbished sets is printed locally by some shopkeepers.

Available at cheap rates compared with brand new sets, the refurbished sets have cornered a market. To date, the CPLC has blocked 26,756 cellphones in a year or so that were snatched or stolen. Of these, 19,756 complaints were received by the CPLC while 6,595 complaints were received by Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA).

Commenting on cellphone theft, CPLC Chief Mr Sharfuddin Memon said the snatching, disposal of the cellphones has reached new dimensions.

He said now some people purchase such cellphones in bulk offering a flat rate for a specific brand and model.

Often they are transported to different cities, for instance Lahore.

He pointed out that Lahore had a huge market for used cellphones.

Recently some men were arrested by the Preedy police who used to transport cellphones in bulk to Lahore for disposal.

In some cases the cellphones are dismantled and their components like LCD’s, cameras, batteries, are expensive and not easily available in the market especially for the new models. As they fetch a good price this has also become a lucrative business, Mr Memon remarked.