PTA and FIA Conduct Raids Against IMEI Tampering in Faisalabad
In a significant move to curb mobile phone fraud, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Zonal Office in Faisalabad, in collaboration with the Federal Investigation Agency’s Cyber Crime Reporting Center (FIA CCRC), carried out a series of successful raids on mobile phone retail and repair outlets in Faisalabad’s commercial hotspot—Kacheri Bazar and the Clock Tower area.
The crackdown led to the recovery of seventeen IMEI-patched mobile phones from two retail shops. Additionally, authorities seized a bait handset and a laptop loaded with Chimera software—a tool commonly used for illegal IMEI tampering—from a repair shop. Five suspects were arrested, and FIRs have been registered by the FIA.
This operation is part of PTA’s broader campaign to eliminate telecom-related fraud and prevent security and economic threats posed by unregistered and tampered mobile devices. Illegally modified phones can facilitate untraceable communications, making them potential tools for cybercrime, financial fraud, kidnappings, and other unlawful activities.
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PTA continues to enforce strict regulations and has urged the public to remain alert and report any suspicious activity involving mobile phone cloning or IMEI tampering. Legal action will be taken against those involved in such practices as the crackdown intensifies.
PTA and FIA Conduct Raids Against IMEI Tampering in Faisalabad
In a significant move to curb mobile phone fraud, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Zonal Office in Faisalabad, in collaboration with the Federal Investigation Agency’s Cyber Crime Reporting Center (FIA CCRC), carried out a series of successful raids on mobile phone retail and repair outlets in Faisalabad’s commercial hotspot—Kacheri Bazar and the Clock Tower area.
The crackdown led to the recovery of seventeen IMEI-patched mobile phones from two retail shops. Additionally, authorities seized a bait handset and a laptop loaded with Chimera software—a tool commonly used for illegal IMEI tampering—from a repair shop. Five suspects were arrested, and FIRs have been registered by the FIA.
This operation is part of PTA’s broader campaign to eliminate telecom-related fraud and prevent security and economic threats posed by unregistered and tampered mobile devices. Illegally modified phones can facilitate untraceable communications, making them potential tools for cybercrime, financial fraud, kidnappings, and other unlawful activities.
PTA continues to enforce strict regulations and has urged the public to remain alert and report any suspicious activity involving mobile phone cloning or IMEI tampering. Legal action will be taken against those involved in such practices as the crackdown intensifies.
