Khalid Abdelbagi Mohamed Albadwi : "Minors Lured into Racket for Easy Money"

minors lured into joining illegal activity for quick cash
minors enticed to participate in criminal scheme for fast earnings.

Accident – Death – Obituary News :

Hyderabad, a bustling city known for its rich history and vibrant culture, is now grappling with a troubling trend – the involvement of minor boys in cell phone theft rackets. This emerging issue has raised concerns among law enforcement officials and the general public alike, as it poses heightened risks of attacks and robberies.

According to police sources, victims of these crimes are primarily below 20 years of age, with criminal gangs exploiting young individuals to carry out their illicit activities. Pedestrians, in particular, have become targets of verbal abuse and phone snatching, especially in deserted areas where the risks of such incidents are higher.

Traditionally, pickpocketing gangs targeted crowded places for cash thefts. However, with the increasing prevalence of online transactions, these criminal groups have shifted their focus to internet scams. They lure unsuspecting victims by setting up deals for selling phones on social media platforms and then carrying out attacks during in-person meetings.

Desperate for money, some youngsters are coerced into participating in these criminal activities through promises of financial gain or threats of violence if they refuse. The allure of easy money drives them to commit anti-social acts, sometimes resorting to violence when confronted.

The stolen phones find a thriving market, with gangs altering International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) numbers and even exporting the devices to foreign countries. Recent arrests by the Hyderabad Task Force Police have exposed the extent of this criminal network, with stolen phones being smuggled to Sudan for resale.

Hyderabad police officials revealed that smartphones stolen from the bylanes of the city were being sold at higher rates in Sudan through Jagdish Market in Abids. In a recent bust, the South Zone Task Force team, along with the Bandlaguda police, arrested 17 individuals, including five Sudanese nationals, and seized 703 high-end smartphones from them.

The Sudanese nationals involved in the racket were identified as Khalid Abdelbagi Mohamed Albadwi, Abdalelah Ahmed Osman Babiker, Aymn Mohammed Salih Abdalla, Anas Siddig Abdelgader Ahmed, and Omer Abdalla Eltayeb Mohamed.

Since the launch of the Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR) portal in April 2023, Telangana police have recovered a staggering 30,049 mobile phones. The CEIR portal, developed by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), aims to curb mobile theft and the circulation of counterfeit devices.

Complicit cell phone shops further facilitate this illegal trade by purchasing stolen devices for resale as cheap parts or refurbished items. Stolen cell phones are often disassembled in niche markets in the city, with parts like displays, cameras, and speakers being sold as replacements for damaged devices.

Incidents of violence linked to cell phone thefts continue to occur, with tragic outcomes such as the fatal stabbing of a young man in Gudimalkapur. Law enforcement agencies are actively working to address this issue, with recent arrests by the South Zone and North Zone Task Force Police targeting minors involved in these criminal activities.

These arrests shed light on the underlying factors driving youth participation in theft, including financial struggles and exploitation by older criminals. Authorities stress the importance of community vigilance and prompt reporting to combat this growing menace, which not only jeopardises public safety but also hampers the future prospects of these young offenders.