One Person Arrested Amid Crackdown on CPID and Patched Phone Sellers

In a significant crackdown on the illegal tampering, cloning, and sale of cloned mobile phone IMEIs, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Zonal Office Gilgit, in coordination with the FIA Cyber Crime Reporting Centre (CCRC) Gilgit, conducted a successful raid on a mobile phone repair shop at NLI Market, Gilgit City. During the raid, a laptop along with specialized software and hardware used for IMEI tampering and cloning was confiscated. One individual was arrested and taken into custody by the Cyber Crime Circle Gilgit for further legal action. PTA said it continues to maintain strict oversight against the illicit trade of tampered and cloned devices, which pose serious threats to public safety by enabling anonymous, untraceable communications. Such devices are often misused for cybercrimes, financial fraud, abductions, and other unlawful activities, it added. PTA urged the public to report any suspicious activities related to mobile phone cloning. PTA is reinforcing strict regulatory measures, and violators will face severe legal consequences, it added. Collaborative efforts between PTA and law enforcement remain vital to ensuring secure and lawful use of mobile communication services, it said.