Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police has arrested a key ringleader of a syndicate involved in altering mobile phone IMEI numbers and selling stolen handsets in the capital’s Gulistan area.

The arrestee was identified as Md Asaduzzaman, 38. He was detained during a raid conducted on Saturday night (January 24) in the Gulistan area under Paltan Police Station, according to a press release issued on Sunday by the DMP’s Media and Public Relations Division.

Acting on a tip-off that stolen mobile phones were being collected from a shop near the entrance of the Patal Market and resold after changing their IMEI numbers, a web-based crime investigation team of the DB’s Cyber and Special Crime (South) Division carried out the operation.

During the raid, police seized IMEI-altering software, two laptops, various tools, 16 mobile phones and Tk 5,590 in cash from the possession of the accused. The estimated market value of the recovered stolen phones and equipment is around Tk 400,000, police said.

Preliminary interrogation revealed that Asaduzzaman, along with his absconding associate Rajan Sheikh, had been running the illegal operation for a long time. The syndicate reportedly consists of 10 to 12 members who collect mobile phones through theft, snatching and robbery in different parts of the capital.

The stolen phones were later altered by changing their IMEI numbers and sold secretly in Dhaka and surrounding areas, according to police.

A case has been filed against the arrestee with Paltan Model Police Station in connection with the incident.