Islamabad, 11 June 2025: In a coordinated crackdown on the illegal modification of mobile devices, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), working alongside the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) Gujranwala, carried out two enforcement raids targeting IMEI tampered and the trade of cloned smartphones.
The operations were conducted in the heart of Gujranwala, with the first raid taking place at Google Valley Mobile Plaza in Model Town. Authorities confiscated 19 tampered or cloned phones, and the shop owner was taken into custody.
A second raid at Musa Mobile in the Main Market led to the recovery of six more illicit devices, although the shopkeeper reportedly escaped amidst a gathered crowd.
Among the seized devices was one linked to Disney Mobile, a brand not officially sold in Pakistan, raising concerns about international trafficking of patched devices.
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High-end models such as Samsung’s S23 Ultra, Google Pixel, OnePlus, and Motorola handsets were found with IMEIs reprogrammed to mimic those of significantly cheaper phones a tactic that enables evasion of legal and tax-related regulations.
Law enforcement agencies have filed formal complaints (FIRs), and ongoing investigations are expected to uncover more such networks.
The PTA reiterated its zero-tolerance policy toward IMEI manipulation, citing the grave risks such activity poses to public safety, law enforcement operations, and digital security infrastructure.
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Officials emphasized that IMEI tampered not only undermines consumer trust but also facilitates crimes ranging from financial fraud and cybercrime to kidnapping and organized criminal activity. The PTA has called on the public to remain alert and report any suspicious mobile device activity.
With regulatory oversight tightening, authorities warned that offenders involved in the tampering or sale of cloned phones would face severe legal repercussions under Pakistan’s cyber laws.
