Moga police return 250 mobile phones recovered to owners, warns against undocumented purchases

The police today handed over 250 recovered mobile phones to their rightful owners. The recovery was made possible through a technology-driven tracing initiative that utilised Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR), a national portal developed by Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to help citizens track and block lost or stolen mobile devices.

According to SSP Ajay Gandhi, the Moga police have successfully traced and returned nearly 1,000 mobile phones since January 1, 2025, many of which were stolen or lost across various districts within and outside Punjab. “This is part of our sustained effort to combine technology with policing to deliver quick and citizen-friendly results,” SSP Gandhi said.

He advised people who lose their phones to immediately register a complaint on the CEIR portal (https://www.ceir.gov.in) to enable swift action. The SSP also highlighted that the initiative has not only helped restore citizens’ property but also curbed the illegal trade of stolen mobile phones, often used for fraudulent or criminal activities.

While purchasing used mobile phones, SSP Gandhi urged the public to exercise caution and ensure the seller provides valid ownership proof and purchase documentation. “Do not buy phones from suspicious or unknown sources,” he cautioned. “A phone without proper papers could be stolen property and may land the buyer in legal trouble.”

SSP Gandhi further advised citizens to deposit any unclaimed or abandoned mobile phone they come across either with the original owner (if identifiable) or at the nearest police station to prevent potential misuse, such as identity theft or cyber fraud.

The Moga police have been actively leveraging digital tools to improve public service delivery, including CEIR-based recoveries, CCTNS (Crime and Criminal Tracking Network & Systems), Cyber Cell analytics, and public awareness campaigns to boost citizen trust and technological responsiveness in policing.