The 12 Armed Police Battalion (APBn) has recovered 3,165 mobile phones of various brands by using information technology to track lost and stolen devices over the past 22 months.
The phones were recovered after investigating around 14,322 general diaries (GDs) filed at different police stations, according to a press release issued by 12 APBn on Wednesday.
After verification, the recovered phones were handed over to their rightful owners.
The 12 APBn has a cyber and Call Detail Record (CDR) analysis unit dedicated to recovering lost mobile phones. The unit collects GDs filed at police stations across Bangladesh and uses information technology to track the devices.
The battalion said it also collects information about lost phones from relatives, friends and acquaintances. Investigators then use details in the GDs and the phones’ International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) numbers to trace them.
The 12 APBn has ranked first among all APBn battalions in recovering lost mobile phones for the past 21 months, the release said. It recovered 132 lost phones in August alone.
How to report a lost phone
The 12 APBn advised mobile phone users to keep a record of their phone’s International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number after purchase. The 15-digit number is usually printed on the phone’s box and is required if the device is lost or stolen.
If a phone is lost, users should file an online GD with the relevant police station, mentioning the IMEI number.
A copy of the GD can then be sent to 12 APBn through its designated WhatsApp numbers, 01320-194018 and 01320-194003. A copy can also be sent through the 12 APBn Facebook page.
The battalion said its cyber team is working to recover the phones under the overall supervision of 12 APBn Commanding Officer Additional DIG Md Enamul Kabir and the leadership of Additional Superintendent of Police (Operations and Intelligence) Md Saiful Islam.