Is the mobile you are using legal or illegal?

Don’t worry, I am not taking on a brand survey of mobile phones. But, if you’ve gotten one from the grey or smuggled market, is it a branded one or one of the Chinese handsets?

Why?
The grey markets of every big city are glutted with more of Chinese handsets. So what? They pose a security threat. According to intelligent agencies, these used Chinese handsets would have been used by people with malicious intent like mafia or terror groups. The Karnataka government is contemplating a ban on such handsets that do not have IMEI or International Mobile Equipment Identity which is unique for every mobile. The handsets without the IMEI number must have been in the hands of antisocial elements and so it’s advised never to buy even it’s a cheapie. After all, you don’t like police people grill you the next day. Do you?

Unfortunately, to escape ban the makers are planning to introduce fake IMEI numbers. But you can still resist them asking for another set and you’d see the IMEI number featuring on that handset as well. Remember for each set it would be different and when these phones or handsets are outlawed never buy and land behind bars.

An IMEI number would come in 15 to 17 digits and when a SIM gets activated this IMEI number gets recorded with the service provider making it possible to trace the caller’s identity and even the location from where one makes the call using the handset. Even if you have lost the cell you can get it traced with IMEI number.

Where to see the IMEI number on a handset?
Under the battery usually IMEI number is displayed. It will be 15 to 17 digits with no letters or slashes. The first 15 numbers is very important.

In case you did not find IMEI under the battery, press *#06# on the keypad and the IMEI number gets displayed on the screen. You can jot down and save for future references.

For Motorola handsets, you need to press # followed by * followed by right arrow- all in very quick succession and you can see IMEI displayed on screen.

You can try all of these but your Chinese handsets cannot display one but might hold the danger of landing you in a Police station. So did you get what it means to have Chinese handsets with/without IMEI? BEWARE....college folks! Resist the temptation of throw away prices.