Government issues advisory for new smartphone buyers: How to avoid stolen, cloned or fake devices

New iPhone

• Indian cyber police urge buyers to verify phones before purchase
• Verify IMEI on device, box, and official CEIR site
• Buy only from authorised sellers; avoid very low prices

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The Indian cyber security awareness handle Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre has issued an advisory for people planning to buy a new smartphone. The warning highlights the risks of purchasing stolen, cloned or illegal devices without proper verification and outlines steps users should follow before making a purchase.

Why verification is important

According to the advisory shared on X, buyers often focus only on features and pricing while ignoring device verification. Authorities caution that skipping basic checks can result in unknowingly purchasing a stolen or duplicate phone.

Such devices may stop working later, be blocked by networks or even lead to legal complications for the buyer. This makes verification a necessary step during purchase, especially in offline or unverified markets.

Check IMEI before buying

The advisory states that the first step is to match the IMEI number on the phone box with the IMEI displayed on the device. Any mismatch may indicate tampering or a cloned device.

Users can find the IMEI number by dialing *#06# on the phone. The number shown on the screen should match the one printed on the packaging and invoice.

Verify on official portals

After checking the IMEI, users are advised to verify it on the official CEIR (Central Equipment Identity Register) portal managed by the Department of Telecommunications.

The process requires entering the IMEI number, completing CAPTCHA verification and confirming via OTP. Once verified, users can confirm whether the device is genuine or reported as stolen.

The advisory also mentions that third-party platforms such as imei.info and Swappa can be used for additional verification.

Steps to stay safe

Buyers should purchase smartphones only from authorised sellers or trusted platforms. Keeping the purchase invoice and packaging is also important for future reference.

Users are also advised to avoid deals that seem unusually low in price, as these may involve illegal or refurbished devices sold without proper disclosure.

What this means for buyers

The advisory reinforces the need for caution while buying smartphones. Verifying IMEI details and using official tools can help buyers avoid fraud and ensure that the device they purchase is legitimate and safe to use.