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AP
Sharmaine Dhawnarain blacklisted her BlackBerry after hijackers stole it, along with her car and other valuables, at gunpoint last month.
By doing so, she believed that it would be listed as stolen and thus disabled electronically – in other words, it would become useless to the hijacker or anyone it was sold to.
But more than a week later, the hijacker was still merrily using the supposedly blacklisted BlackBerry.
Dhawnarain, an MTN subscriber, made the shocking discovery 11 days after she was hijacked in front of her two daughters at their home in Durban.
Then a friend of one of her daughters sent a BBM (BlackBerry Messenger) invitation to Dhawnarain, mistakenly using the PIN for the BlackBerry stolen during the hijacking.
“Imagine her surprise when she received a reply from my hijacker, who is still using my blacklisted cellphone!
“He even sent his profile picture. I was quite shocked to see it – he’s definitely one of the two men who hijacked me,” Dhawnarain said.
So either he’s not too bright, or incredibly brazen.
Incidentally, Dhawnarain’s car and handbag were recovered by her tracking company – only her BlackBerry was still missing.
So how is that hijacker able to keep using a blacklisted handset?
“I have queried this with MTN and have been advised that blacklisted cellphones are still operable,” Dhawnarain said. “But they tell me they can’t trace it. Imagine that.”
She has reported the information to the police, who will no doubt have more luck in getting that information from the network, should they be inclined.
Responding, MTN’s customer service executive, Eddie Moyce, said her phone was indeed blacklisted on its network, and the Equipment Identity Register (EIR), which is facilitated by Transunion ITC.
“Effectively, this prevents the device from being used on any of the other networks,” he said. “But the blacklisting of devices, for network usage, is only limited to those countries that have an EIR database, and who have subscribed to the Centralised Equipment Identity Register (CEIR).”
If the Blackberry had been taken into one of SA’s neighbouring countries, the blacklisting would not be effective, he said, because current legislation only applies within our borders.
Another possibility was that criminals had changed the phone’s IMEI number, he said.
“This means the same device reflects a new IMEI number on the network, which prevents the network from realising that the device is one which is blacklisted,” Moyce said.
Such tampering was illegal, according to RICA legislation, he said, but can’t be prevented because the phone’s IMEI is not hard-coded into it.
So, whether Dhawnarain’s Blackberry has had its IMEI number changed, or is being used outside SA, its BBM pin can still be used, making it possible for the hijacker to use her Blackberry messenging profile. Moyce said the Blackberry is not in use on any of the “home” networks. - The Star
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fred, wrote
Another big co.cop out and mis-information supply. Why do consumers and the watchdog organisations put up with it? Who is paying for the calls made by the thief?
R J Sanssouci, wrote
Yes my phone has been stolen and I had it blocked,I sent the thief a message and he responded and threthened me, this I took to the cop shop but nothing has come to fore I also reported to the cellphone but was told that they can do nothing about, my simpathy to you as I have also been hijacked and know how you feel fortunate you got your vechile back and mine is still missing
Anonymous, wrote
If you have a photo why did you not also publish the hijackers face. Surely someone would recognise him amd give him a name even if he is now out the country. I assume from his profile you may also have his name already too. Anyway if you can obtain a name from either ssource then at least immigration authorities can be on the lookout and hold him for further questioning if he tries to re-enter the country. South Africa does not need more of these type of people from foreign countries, we have enough here already..
Anonymous, wrote
So who is going to get the phone bill for all the phone calls in the beighbouring country. Sharmaine or the current "owner".
Anonymous, wrote
If you are worried then get an iPhone, I can simply open a website, pinpoint where my phone is on the map, I mean the exact address, I can then manually wipe all data off my phone, prevent it from being turned off, even send a message to the thievess and make the phone totally useless by disabling the power button.
Sean Hammon, wrote
DENIAL AND LIES! Why would our greeding thieving cell phone networks block a phone if that phone could mean more revenue for them? NOthing was blocked. All your stolen phones are working happily with their new owners.
Mick, wrote
Come on - you should know by now that the Telco's won't really block it - they get additional revenue from a pay as you go user. The onus is on you - buy an independent mobile security package like Bullguard that amoung other features like anti-virus, malware and spyware, REALLY allows you to wipe, block, locate and DISABLE your handset. (unless they change the IMEI number in which case NOTHING can prevent that). At least they don't have any of your info and you can transfer it into your replacement handset instantly.
Anonymous, wrote
it's not in the interest of the telco to switch off a phone that's profitable to them...
JakeKoekemoer, wrote
Okay, I am a software developer and each and there are a few solutions that YOU and NETWORK SERVICE PROVIDERS can do to track a stolen phone. One of the things that can be done is to NOT block the phone instead wait for them to use the phone and triangulate their location. Next NSP(Network Service Providers) could use the PIN to track to BB. They just don't want to.
Graeme, wrote
Anonymous, wrote
Any law (including RICA, FICA, anyICA, etc) is only effective to control law abiding citizens. No law is effective in controling criminals, that's why they are called OUTlaws, i.e. they operate outside the law. Therefore, whoever is surprised that criminals can still use a blacklisted phone, is naive.
Ed, wrote
It is in the interests of mobile operators not to track stolen phones for the following three reasons. 1. They need the airtime and data traffic. 2. It costs more than the cost of the phone to track and recover it. 3. RICA was forced upon them and they are still bitter about it. This will not be for long though. There's going to be some tweaking and firming of the law. Soon. Watch this space.
Anonymous, wrote
ok, so BB has got the BB service. you pick up a phone with an IMEI number that you havent manufactured, you bar the BB from using that. that will work for BB. for the others, when you bring in a cellphone into the country, you log the IMEI no in a standard db, open to all service providers. you get a new IMEI on your network, that isnt in the RSA's IMEI database, it was most likely changed. you get the guy to register it, and provide proof of importpurchaseorigin. and charge import duties if it is a new phone.
Jiems, wrote
There is much more information on this topic out there. Wendy does not Knowler enough to write on this.
Gavin, wrote
Same thing happened with a friend of mine - his BBM was stolen, he had it blacklisted and a few weeks later some other person was using his BBM. I confronted this person over BBM - turned out to be a teenager. I told her she had stolen property and that we were onto her - she claimed she bought the phone for R2500 from a pawn shop in Kempton Park and it was not her problem. I was immediately removed from her contacts. Anyways, neither the police nor the service providers were interested in helping. Cell phone companies can track devices very accurately, especially newer smartphones with GPS tracking, etc. I can track my phone over the internet down to the last meter, yet cellphone providers refuse to divulge this information - even if there is a life at stake. Again, too much money to be made off stolen phones. I agree with nkosibomvu - WinWin for everyone except for the victim.
JR, wrote
Blacklisting of phones is not effectiev and does not work in this country as the Service providers do not barr the phone as they are supposed. This was admitted in the last couple of years. It is hard enough to get them shut off the access if you have a contract. In short they dont give a *** about blacklisting the phone
RICA, wrote
Now that we have a registered address for every SIM card in South Africa, it should be a simple matter to check who is using YOUR stolen phone and have a warrant issued for their arrest. They are, after all, in possession of stolen property.
nkosibomvu, wrote
its not in the interests of the cell companies to block the phones - they still make money off the phones... you have to get a new one-they make money. the stolen one needs a new contract or pay-as-you-go SIM - they make money. the theft of the phone is a win-win for them.
Anonymous, wrote
Anyone with some technical knowledge can clear blacklisted phones or change the IMEI number... google it.
Anonymous, wrote
My son was also held @ gun point and they took his blackberry. We blacklisted it imediately but only to find out a month later that somebody was still using his BBM. Luckily for him we traced the guy coz we had his profile picture and the phone was retrieved. I don't believe what Mr Moyce is saying coz my son's phone was retrieved in SA & the IMEI number was not changed.
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