The mobile phone has become an indispensable part of life. The latest mobile phones are very costly and many fellow citizens are unable to afford them. Here come in the alluring grey market or black market where these costly phones are sold at a cheap price without any bills.
The gullible citizens are lured by fraudsters who offer to sell phones at cheap prices. Sometimes, strangers also approach for selling phones on the pretext of seeking financial help. How can the latest phone be sold at below par cheap prices? The reason is simple. Most of the phones sold in the black market are either imitated, counterfeit or stolen. If one buys a stolen phone, there are high chances of him/her getting stuck in a Criminal prosecution. Let understand how?
Let assume that Mr X bought the latest Mobile phone and he was travelling public transport. Some unknown offender pickpocketed his mobile phone. Mr X lodges the FIR for theft of his phone under section 379 IPC. After registration of FIR, the police initiates an investigation.
Every mobile phone has a unique International Mobile Equipment Identity Number (I.M.E.I.). The police will put the I.M.E.I. number on surveillance. A gullible buyer who purchased the mobile phone from the black market will start using the phone by inserting the SIM card in a mobile phone. The moment the mobile phone is activated the I.M.E.I. number gets tracked associated with new SIM and the police is able to track the person/buyer who is using the phone.
Thereafter, the police may book the person found in possession of stolen property/buyer for dishonestly keeping the stolen property under Section 411 IPC which is punishable with imprisonment up to three years or fine or both. The person may also be arrested by the police.
Therefore next time you get an alluring offer to buy a phone at cheap prices, please cross check the ownership and do not buy anything without a valid bill.
