Smart Way to Find Stolen Electronics

A new government-backed website has been launched to help Iranians counter the theft of electronic devices like mobile phones.

Hamyab24.com offers a wide range of services for protecting smartphones and tablets. When someone loses his or her mobile phone the website enables the person to track the lost phone using the device’s IMEI number, local technology website Webna.ir reported.

IMEI or International Mobile Equipment Identity is a 15- or 17-digit code that uniquely identifies mobile phone sets.

The IMEI code can enable a GSM (Global System for Mobile communication) network to prevent a misplaced or stolen phone from initiating calls. The location of the lost device can also be tracked by the code.

When a phone is lost or stolen, the owner can blacklist the device on Hamyab24 using its IMEI number. After that, the phone will become useless, even if someone swaps out its SIM card. However, although it is not an easy task, a skilled and determined cracker can sometimes change the IMEI number and use a stolen phone to place calls.

The website charges 84,000 rials ($2.3) for the services offered to owners of stolen goods.

Moreover, when purchasing a new phone, people can check the IMEI code of the product on Hamyab24 to make sure that the phone has not been stolen.

The user also can register electronic goods after purchase with the website for 50,000 rials ($1.3). In case the electronic device gets lost or stolen the owner can track it faster, already having an account on Hayab24.

In addition to these, in case someone finds a lost electronic device, he can register the device on Hamyab24 assisting the owner in finding it. It is customary in Iran to pay a reward to anyone assisting you find a lost lor stolen good.

A report on Hamyab24 states that on a daily basis judiciary files 900 requests for tracking lost mobiles with just the country’s second largest mobile operator, MTN-Irancell.

According to that report, from the 900 stolen or lost phones, only 300 can be tracked with the operator’s assistance.

Hamyab24 is a joint project of an Iranian private company, Saina Pardazesh and several national bodies including the Ministry of Justice. The website has also been endorsed by the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance and the Ministry of Industries, Mining and Trade.