The Mumbai crime branch has busted a three-member gang involved in purchasing stolen mobile phones and selling them back to customers. They did so after changing the IMEI data of the stolen phones with those of outdated or discarded mobile phones using a software.

The arrested accused have been identified as Sameer Bhayani, 47, Ashok Sant and Tushar Rajput. The police claim that Rajput is a software engineer. At least 114 stolen mobile phones have been seized from the gang.

According to deputy commissioner of police Ambadas Pote, information about a gang changing IMEI data of stolen phones and selling them in the market in the Malad and Borivli areas was received by inspectors Deepak Phatangre, Jyotsna Rasam and Sunil Mane.

A trap was laid near Orlem Church in Malad (W) on Wednesday afternoon and Bhayani was apprehended. The police found seven mobile phones whose IMEI numbers were changed, IMEI labels and blank cash memos in his possession. A case was then registered at the Malad police station in this regard under relevant sections of Indian Penal Code and the Information Technology Act.

"Bhayani revealed that he used to buy stolen mobile phones and gave them to Sant and Rajput. The latter two used to change the IMEI numbers with those of outdated or China-made mobile phones. Later, the phones were sold to unsuspecting customers. For every IMEI number, Sant and Rajput used to charge Rs500," said inspector Phatangre.

Inspector Rasam said based on the information provided by Bhayani, the police raided two shops in Malad and Borivli run by Sant and Rajput and seized goods worth Rs4 lakh, including 114 mobile phones. "We have also seized the hard disk of Bhayani's computer from his residence," she said.

"Bhayani has a mobile repairing shop. The stolen mobile phone prices ranged from Rs5000 to Rs50,000. It has been learnt that Rajput has been using flashing software to change the IMEI numbers. The said software is a pirated one. The trio is in police custody. They have been operating for the past six months and are believed to have changed numbers of at least 250 phones," said inspector Mane.