In a decisive move against illegal mobile phone activities, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Zonal Office in Rawalpindi has conducted a successful raid at a mobile shop involved in IMEI tampering. The operation took place at City Mobile Centre located in Singapore Plaza, Rawalpindi, and was carried out in close coordination with the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA).
The raid followed market intelligence reports indicating illegal modification of mobile device IMEIs and the sale of cloned or patched phones. During the joint inspection, authorities confiscated one laptop, one CPU, and a mobile phone allegedly used in the unlawful alteration of IMEI numbers.
PTA reiterated its commitment to a zero-tolerance policy against the illegal trade of mobile device identifiers, emphasizing the national security implications of such crimes. The authority warned that IMEI tampering not only facilitates cybercrime and financial fraud but also contributes to serious offenses such as abductions and other criminal activities by enabling user anonymity.
The PTA urged the public to stay vigilant and report any suspicious activities related to mobile phone tampering or cloning. Legal proceedings will be initiated against anyone found complicit in such offenses, as the authority remains committed to safeguarding the integrity of Pakistan’s telecom networks.
