Phones are uniquely identified by their IMEI number. This number consists of 15 digits, which is assigned by the device manufacturer. No phone should have the same IMEI number, unfortunately, that has what happened to over 13,500 Vivo smartphones in India.

The investigation of multiple Vivo smartphones with the same IMEI number began when a sub-inspector of Meerut found out that the one on his phone was changed when he received it from a Delhi service centre in the month of September 2019. The case was soon assigned to the cyber cell team of Meerut Police.

Over the course of 5 months, the investigation revealed that more than 13,500 Vivo smartphones across different states of India had that same IMEI number. When questioned, the manager of the Delhi service centre denied changing them.

Since tampering of IMEI number is a criminal offence, the police sent a notice to Vivo India’s nodal officer Harmanjit Singh under Section 91 of the CrPC (Code of Criminal Procedure).

Vivo India is yet to comment on this matter. Only then, we can paint a picture of what went wrong these many numbers of phones.

PSA: If you bought a new phone or received it after repairs, make sure to check the IMEI number on your handset matches with the one printed on the box and invoice. To access IMEI number on any phone, open dialer and type *#06#.

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(Via)

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