<div align="justify">The Mysuru city police have arrested seven persons and seized three machines, which were used to erase the international mobile equipment identity (IMEI) number from mobile phones.<br /><br />The police have decided to communicate the matter to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) as the tampered mobile phones could be used for anti-national activities.<br /><br />Addressing reporters here on Tuesday, Commissioner of Police Dr A Subramanyeshwara Rao said, the tampering of IMEI number of mobile phones is a threat to national security and seven persons have been arrested in connection with the crime. The suspects used to erase IMEI number and give a new IMEI number to stolen mobile phones. Raids would be conducted on all mobile service and repair shops in the city to check for such anti-national activities, he added.<br /><br />“The machines seem to have been manufactured in China. They can change the IMEI number of even high-end smartphones, including i-Phones, in just five minutes. It is suspected that such stolen and tampered phones are used in anti-social activities,” Dr Rao said.<br /><br />Referring to the attachment of properties worth Rs 5.30 crore, amassed by murder convict and rowdy-sheeter C Madesha and his brother Manju, by the Enforcement Directorate recently, Dr Rao said this was first such case in the city.<br /><br />“The ED’s action followed the request by the city police to unearth the ill-gotten wealth of the convict. Hereafter, assets of all rowdy-sheeters will come under scrutiny. If it is found that the moveable and immovable properties are bought with ill-gotten money, they will be confiscated,” the top cop said.<br /><br /><br /></div>
<div align="justify">The Mysuru city police have arrested seven persons and seized three machines, which were used to erase the international mobile equipment identity (IMEI) number from mobile phones.<br /><br />The police have decided to communicate the matter to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) as the tampered mobile phones could be used for anti-national activities.<br /><br />Addressing reporters here on Tuesday, Commissioner of Police Dr A Subramanyeshwara Rao said, the tampering of IMEI number of mobile phones is a threat to national security and seven persons have been arrested in connection with the crime. The suspects used to erase IMEI number and give a new IMEI number to stolen mobile phones. Raids would be conducted on all mobile service and repair shops in the city to check for such anti-national activities, he added.<br /><br />“The machines seem to have been manufactured in China. They can change the IMEI number of even high-end smartphones, including i-Phones, in just five minutes. It is suspected that such stolen and tampered phones are used in anti-social activities,” Dr Rao said.<br /><br />Referring to the attachment of properties worth Rs 5.30 crore, amassed by murder convict and rowdy-sheeter C Madesha and his brother Manju, by the Enforcement Directorate recently, Dr Rao said this was first such case in the city.<br /><br />“The ED’s action followed the request by the city police to unearth the ill-gotten wealth of the convict. Hereafter, assets of all rowdy-sheeters will come under scrutiny. If it is found that the moveable and immovable properties are bought with ill-gotten money, they will be confiscated,” the top cop said.<br /><br /><br /></div>
