How is IMEI fraud fueling the fake phone business? Your privacy and money are both at risk; here's how to protect yourself..

Delhi Police have busted a major racket involved in manufacturing and selling counterfeit mobile phones in the Karol Bagh area of ​​Delhi. This incident highlights how easily fake premium phones, which look exactly like the real ones but are of inferior quality and fraudulent, are being sold in the market. On the night of December 13-14, 2025, the police raided a shop in the Bidonpura area of ​​Karol Bagh. Four people were caught red-handed assembling fake Samsung premium phones.

The arrested accused include the mastermind Hakim (36, a resident of Ashok Vihar), Mehtab Ahmed Ansari (36), Ravi Ahuja (36), and Rahul (33, a resident of Karol Bagh). Hakim, despite being only an 8th-grade pass and having no technical training, was the ringleader of this racket.

The police recovered 512 counterfeit premium Samsung phones (Ultra, Fold, and Flip models), along with 124 motherboards, 138 batteries, 459 fake IMEI stickers (marked Vietnam), and assembly tools. These accused imported spare parts from China, including motherboards, cameras, speakers, and body frames. They then affixed fake IMEI numbers and sold these phones as new, branded Samsung phones for Rs. 35,000 to Rs. 40,000.

This racket was operating in an organized manner, not only defrauding customers but also promoting telecom fraud. Fake IMEIs make it difficult to trace the phones. The police have registered a case under the relevant sections of the Telecommunication Act and the BNS and are investigating the supply chain.

Don't get cheated in the pursuit of a cheap phone…
This incident serves as a warning against falling for the temptation of cheap or discounted premium phones. Such counterfeit phones are often sold in local markets or unknown shops, and they often malfunction within a few days, pose a risk of data theft, or lack a warranty.

How to check if a phone is fake? Always buy from an authorized dealer, check the IMEI number (dial *#06#), get a bill, and verify the box packaging. To check and match the IMEI number: Dial *#06# on your phone. The IMEI will appear on the screen. Now compare this number with the IMEI printed on the phone's box, under the battery (if removable), or in the phone's settings (About Phone). If the numbers are different or don't match, the IMEI might be fake or tampered with.

Check on the government portal (for India): Visit the Sanchar Saathi portal (sancharsaathi.gov.in) or CEIR (ceir.gov.in). Enter the number in the IMEI verification section. Alternatively, use the old method: Send an SMS with KYM <15-digit IMEI> to 14422.

Trying to save money can cost you thousands of rupees and compromise your privacy. While police action will help curb the sale of counterfeit phones in the market, vigilance is your responsibility.

Disclaimer: This content has been sourced and edited from News 18 hindi. While we have made modifications for clarity and presentation, the original content belongs to its respective authors and website. We do not claim ownership of the content.