Patna: A major cyber fraud has been uncovered in Bihar, where over 5.5 lakh mobile phones were found to be running on fake or duplicate IMEI numbers. The IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) is a unique 15-digit number that helps identify every mobile phone. Changing it is illegal, but cybercriminals are doing it to avoid being tracked.
This scam came to light after many users filed complaints on the Sanchar Sathi app, a platform launched by the Department of Telecommunications. After investigating the complaints, officials discovered that 20,435 people in Bihar had already been tricked by calls made from phones with fake IMEI numbers. Across India, nearly one crore mobile phones are believed to be running on duplicate IMEIs.
Cyber expert Pramod Kumar explained that criminals use a method called cloning to copy one phone’s identity onto another. By changing just a few digits in the IMEI, they make the phone look new and untraceable. Stolen phones are often used this way to commit fraud or resold in the black market.
According to Surya Prakash, Deputy Director of the Telecom Department in Bihar, the problem is serious. When the same IMEI is found on more than one phone, it becomes difficult to catch the real criminal. Authorities are now urging people to check their IMEI number and report any suspicious activity immediately.
