Did Delhi Police Uncover a Major Illegal Mobile Manufacturing Operation in Karol Bagh?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Delhi Police executed a successful operation against illegal mobile manufacturing.
- Five men were apprehended and 1,826 mobile phones seized.
- IMEI tampering software was used to modify devices.
- The operation was part of a broader crackdown on telecom crimes.
- Ongoing investigations may uncover more connections to this illegal activity.
New Delhi, Nov 27 (NationPress) In a significant operation, the Delhi Police have dismantled an extensive illegal mobile manufacturing and IMEI tampering operation based in Karol Bagh, apprehending five individuals and seizing 1,826 mobile phones as part of a heightened enforcement initiative dubbed Operation “CyberHawk”, the police reported on Thursday.
This operation was executed by the Karol Bagh police station following nearly two weeks of detailed surveillance aimed at addressing the surge in telecom-related crimes in the vicinity.
Authorities received specific intelligence regarding a clandestine unit that was utilizing old mobile phone motherboards, assembling them with new phone body parts, altering IMEI numbers via specialized software, and subsequently selling these illegally manufactured and modified devices.
In response to this intel, a specialized raiding team was assembled under the supervision of the SHO Karol Bagh, with the overall direction of the ACP Karol Bagh.
“On November 20, 2025, a raid was executed at Aditya Electronics & Accessories, located on the 4th floor of a building in Beedanpur, Karol Bagh, Delhi,” the police stated in their press release.
During the operation, five suspects were caught on-site, actively involved in assembling mobile devices and altering IMEI numbers using a laptop and specialized software. All five suspects were taken into custody.
The detainees include Ashok Kumar (45), the unit's owner, along with four accomplices—Ramnarayan (36), Dharmender Kumar (35), Deepanshu (25), and Deepak (19).
Upon questioning, they confessed to acquiring old or discarded mobile devices from local vendors while importing new phone bodies from China.
The gang would then assemble devices using old motherboards and new casings, altering IMEI numbers with software known as WRITEIMEI 0.2.2.
According to police reports, this illegal operation had been ongoing for nearly two years, supplying modified devices to various buyers in Delhi’s markets.
The raid resulted in the recovery of 1,826 mobile phones, numerous phone body components, IMEI labels, a laptop utilized for tampering, IMEI-writing software, and scanning equipment.
“Ongoing investigations aim to uncover the source of motherboards, the supply chain, distribution networks, and potential buyers,” stated DCP Nidhin Valsan.