how to trace your stolen gsm cell phone

speedsatya · 31st January 2006, 15:46

guys ,
just came to know that when u press "*#06#"..u get the serial number of your GSM cell phone ...if at all the cell gets stolen ...this serial number will help you locate the cell phone even if teh sim is changed ...
dunno how true is this...

anybody having any clue??????

and this applies to gsm cell phones of any make.

Steeroid · 31st January 2006, 15:51

This is useful only if all operators co-operate to combat cellphone theft. Unfortunately, this isnt happening in India today. Your only chance is if the thief uses the same network as you do - then it may be possible to track him down - IF and only if your network is willing to help you.

This is possible because eveyr call record contains the serial number of the handset used, IF AVAILBLE. With many of the earlier phones it was possible to change or even erase the serial number, so if the thief has sold it to a reseller that person may have overwritten or erased your serial number.

navin · 31st January 2006, 15:52

The existing networks are so understaffed i dont think you are going to get their cooperation with this.

sbasak · 31st January 2006, 16:40

This is in reality not of much use. Thousands of mobiles phone get stolen in Europe and they are then carried to Asia/Africa. Even if they don't work in Europe once their IMEI is blocked, they will work fine elsewhere. And more often than not, the hackers alter the phones' IMEI numbers (illegal, but who cares?)

nitrous · 31st January 2006, 16:46

The IMEI number can always be changed and this is what 'professional' cellphone thieves do. The stolen mobiles which land on 'used mobiles' dealer for half their value is immediately assigned with a new IMEI number and is sold.Nothing can be done. :(

Steeroid · 31st January 2006, 16:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by sbasak

This is in reality not of much use. Thousands of mobiles phone get stolen in Europe and they are then carried to Asia/Africa. Even if they don't work in Europe once their IMEI is blocked, they will work fine elsewhere. And more often than not, the hackers alter the phones' IMEI numbers (illegal, but who cares?)

IMEI tracing is useful, if done within a few hours of the phone being stolen.

Most of the phones that go to Asia/Africa from Europe are in reality not stolen, but reported stolen by distributors. The subsidised handsets from operators then get shipped out to other countries where their SIM locks are taken off and IMEI's erased or overwritten.

Mind you, the newer handsets have IMEIs that are more secure and hence cant be erased or overwritten as easily as the older ones have been. This is on account of pressure from the GSM operators on handset vendors to increase security.

khanak · 31st January 2006, 18:51

i got my o2 from alfa which is unofficial.i cant install any ROM upgrades on it due to the IMEI number which helped the company to identify grey market pieces and not provide any support to thse pieces

Steeroid · 31st January 2006, 18:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by khanak

i got my o2 from alfa which is unofficial.i cant install any ROM upgrades on it due to the IMEI number which helped the company to identify grey market pieces and not provide any support to thse pieces

Muhuhuhuaaaa!

Go to www.xda-developers.com - you dont need no manufacturer support to upgrade XDAs. This site has been providing better support, tools and solutions than any manufacturer. Upgrade, downgrade, change roms, swap roms do what you want with your pocket pc phone.

Enjoy!

adit1329 · 31st January 2006, 20:48

you can trace the cell phone through the IMI number provided the cops and the network providers co operate jointly.

however, the cops are indifferent and the network providers are not very helpful..for example if you have a prankster troubling you, the network provider will not help you unless you get an FIR which is a pain...

also, if you buy your phone in the grey market, the imi number is useless

best would be to insure your phone against theft, only then you can rest assured

31st January 2006, 15:46	#1
speedsatya Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2004 Location: bangalore/manga Posts: 3,167 Thanked: 742 Times View My Garage	how to trace your stolen gsm cell phone guys , just came to know that when u press "*#06#"..u get the serial number of your GSM cell phone ...if at all the cell gets stolen ...this serial number will help you locate the cell phone even if teh sim is changed ... dunno how true is this... anybody having any clue?????? and this applies to gsm cell phones of any make.
	() Thanks

31st January 2006, 15:51	#2
Steeroid Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: N.A Posts: 7,025 Thanked: 2,757 Times	This is useful only if all operators co-operate to combat cellphone theft. Unfortunately, this isnt happening in India today. Your only chance is if the thief uses the same network as you do - then it may be possible to track him down - IF and only if your network is willing to help you. This is possible because eveyr call record contains the serial number of the handset used, IF AVAILBLE. With many of the earlier phones it was possible to change or even erase the serial number, so if the thief has sold it to a reseller that person may have overwritten or erased your serial number. Last edited by Steeroid : 31st January 2006 at 15:53.
	() Thanks

31st January 2006, 15:52	#3
navin Team-BHP Support Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Mumbai Posts: 25,417 Thanked: 9,985 Times	The existing networks are so understaffed i dont think you are going to get their cooperation with this.
	() Thanks

31st January 2006, 16:40	#4
sbasak BHPian Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: CCU-LTN Posts: 607 Thanked: 16 Times	This is in reality not of much use. Thousands of mobiles phone get stolen in Europe and they are then carried to Asia/Africa. Even if they don't work in Europe once their IMEI is blocked, they will work fine elsewhere. And more often than not, the hackers alter the phones' IMEI numbers (illegal, but who cares?)
	() Thanks

31st January 2006, 16:46	#5
nitrous Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2004 Location: UAE/Lon/Madras Posts: 6,964 Thanked: 333 Times View My Garage	The IMEI number can always be changed and this is what 'professional' cellphone thieves do. The stolen mobiles which land on 'used mobiles' dealer for half their value is immediately assigned with a new IMEI number and is sold.Nothing can be done. :(
	() Thanks

31st January 2006, 18:51	#7
khanak Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Mumbai/Toronto Posts: 2,868 Thanked: 370 Times View My Garage	i got my o2 from alfa which is unofficial.i cant install any ROM upgrades on it due to the IMEI number which helped the company to identify grey market pieces and not provide any support to thse pieces
	() Thanks

31st January 2006, 20:48	#9
adit1329 BHPian Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Bangalore Posts: 346 Thanked: 3 Times	you can trace the cell phone through the IMI number provided the cops and the network providers co operate jointly. however, the cops are indifferent and the network providers are not very helpful..for example if you have a prankster troubling you, the network provider will not help you unless you get an FIR which is a pain... also, if you buy your phone in the grey market, the imi number is useless best would be to insure your phone against theft, only then you can rest assured
	() Thanks