Help Stolen Samsung S3

[650AC]

I am new to this forum. I just had my Samsung S3 stolen at the store. Anyway, called AT&T and blocked the IMEI. I was told that four months ago, all of the carriers now check other carrier lists for blocked numbers. So, why are people stealing the phones if they can not use on ANY carrier once unlocked? parts?

 

[geofferey]

There is always a carrier that will activate a phone regardless of the IMEI's status in other databases. You should have installed androidlost using the online market before deactivating the IMEI so you'd have a better chance of getting it back. I actually build androidlost into the system of any phone I own so it can't be erased by people tech-savy enough to wipe the phone.

 

[jhawkkw]

There's three reasons that would be a common answer
1)Because they can still be activated in other countries because the list of blocked IMEI numbers is not universal.
2)For parts/sell as scrap. Especially the screen for people who broke theirs and want to replace it manually.
3)To try to sell it as is to an unsuspecting person. This is why you always request the ESN/IMEI number when buying a used phone to make sure you're not getting ripped off.

Note, I obviously do not condone this in any manor. It is still theft, plain and simple.

 

[funkylogik]

I use android lost too

For years and years now in my country, all carriers use the same database to block phones and it still isnt a deterant lol. Its just one of them annoying things in life :beer:

 

[jhawkkw]

I use android lost too

For years and years now in my country, all carriers use the same database to block phones and it still isnt a deterant lol. Its just one of them annoying things in life :beer:

The problem is that they don't. Usually carrier within the same country use the same database, but it's not one list across the world. A phone stolen here in the US can be sold to someone in Australia for example and it would work because they wouldn't see it as blacklisted.

 

[650AC]

I tried the Android Lost before calling in the IMEI, but the phone was not on. AT&T originally said there was nothing I could do. But, I tried. My calls were going direct to voice mail.

 

[funkylogik]

Yeah here our phones can be used in most of the world but its not really an organised crime here, the risk/profit is just too high for anyone smart. when a phone gets stolen here its usually by a junkie or oppertunist and it ends up just being a wasted thrown away phone

 

[geofferey]

Next phone you get make sure it's installed. I recommend rooting the phone & placing the androidlost.apk in /system/app/ Then if you don't need root remove SuperUser.apk and su from /system/bin/. It will make your phone practically impossible to get away with stealing & make sure you have stock recovery installed so they can't accidentally/intentially wipe the system of the phone.

 

[sherlock5545]

I heard most EU carriers share the database amongst them, at least I read so. If that is the case, a blacklisted phone here in the UK cannot be used anywhere else in Europe (in theory). However, selling it in other places such as in Asian countries, etc. is still an alternative for thieves. They really should have a worldwide database.

 

[funkylogik]

Yeah they should.
What would be better though is if local police took smartphone theft seriously. In my friends experience, via the power of android he found out the thiefs name and address and decided to do things legaly. The police did nothing with the info so we had to get it back by our own means. Thats not right imo

 

[jhawkkw]

Yeah they should.
What would be better though is if local police took smartphone theft seriously. In my friends experience, via the power of android he found out the thiefs name and address and decided to do things legaly. The police did nothing with the info so we had to get it back by our own means. Thats not right imo

It's true, you tell the police, they do a report, and they recommend that you just use insurance to get a replacement. Those without insurance are screwed.

 

[geofferey]

That's when I have a mob show up at the persons door who took it lol. That's just how I'd handle it if the police didn't wanna help. Here you have to actually find the person and go to the area where they live call the cops and show them something to prove it was the suspect.

 

[650AC]

There is always a carrier that will activate a phone regardless of the IMEI's status in other databases. You should have installed androidlost using the online market before deactivating the IMEI so you'd have a better chance of getting it back. I actually build androidlost into the system of any phone I own so it can't be erased by people tech-savy enough to wipe the phone.

I also filed a theft police report. So, if a carrier activates a stolen IMEI phone, that is in a database, and listed with the police as stolen, aren't they "dealing in stolen goods"?

 

[geofferey]

That's why they subtract themselves from the databases. They won't even be part of it. You live in US or UK?

 

[650AC]

California

 

[geofferey]

Oh right next door lol. Yeah it doesn't matter. The carriers choose whether or not if they want to participate in the stolen phone database thing. Carriers like Cricket & Metro PCS don't do it for sure. I don't know too much about the GSM side of things and how they share this info. When you think about it tho we only have 2 or 3 major GSM carriers & the others are MVNO that use those networks. So when you think about it, it's easier to regulate.

 

[650AC]

The thief tried to sell my cell phone at an ecoatm. If not familiar, watch this link.

Cash-for-phone ATMs may fuel violent crime, top cop says - NBC News.com

I had filed a police report, so they are following up!

 

[geofferey]

Hey, if it wasn't for the ecoATM I don't think you would be getting your phone back. They may make it easier for thieves to cash out on their stolen merchandise but it also makes it easier for the victim to retrieve if their phone is stolen and placed in one. As for "Fueling violent crime" it's gonna happen one way or another. They will get their $. My dad had his phone ripped from his hands on a bus and I'm sure the df didn't know about ecoATMs.

 

[650AC]

Just thought I would post a follow up about the theif trying to sell my phone at an ecoatm in the mall...

Well, the police had ALL the information on the person trying to sell my stolen phone, and they told me that this person was also on probation by the way. BUT, they didn't do anything about it. Told me the person could just say that my phone was given to him...blah blah blah. Wow, so disappointing. I mean the thief could have 50 stolen cell phones at his house...who knows. I had given the police the ecoatm lead, whom they contacted...got the info..and then did nothing.

 

[philayl]

Just thought I would post a follow up about the theif trying to sell my phone at an ecoatm in the mall...

Well, the police had ALL the information on the person trying to sell my stolen phone, and they told me that this person was also on probation by the way. BUT, they didn't do anything about it. Told me the person could just say that my phone was given to him...blah blah blah. Wow, so disappointing. I mean the thief could have 50 stolen cell phones at his house...who knows. I had given the police the ecoatm lead, whom they contacted...got the info..and then did nothing.

That's the difference between the police in the US and the UK, here they would have given you a crime number, and then done nothing! Phil

 

[Galaxy Tab2 47]

I have allways been very careful with any high dollar item i am going to carry, And i also always have my trusty Glock23 concealed on me, and i don't intend on giving anything up easy to some robbing fool.

 

[javamann]

I have allways been very careful with any high dollar item i am going to carry, And i also always have my trusty Glock23 concealed on me, and i don't intend on giving anything up easy to some robbing fool.

I sympathize with you, but if u dare use that Glock it's gonna cost u a lot more than replacing a phone.

JM

 

[javamann]

I sympathize with you, but if u dare use that Glock it's gonna cost u a lot more than replacing a phone.

JM

wrong quote....obviously!!!