Thousands of mobile phones stolen in Spain appear to follow an international route that ends in clandestine markets, especially in Morocco, according to a report by The Confidential.
Often, these devices, stolen mainly in cities like Barcelona and Madrid, They cross the Strait of Gibraltar to end up in markets in cities like Sidi Slimaneknown for being a key point of the black trade of electronic devices in the region.
Stolen phones in Spain are obtained by well-organized criminal networks, which operate in the main cities of the country. According to several police reports, these organizations often use complex logistics to transport the devices to Morocco.
In many cases, stolen phones are “washed” and unlockedeliminating any type of restriction that prevents its resale.
In Morocco, there are specialized centers where these devices are reconditioned and prepared for the black market. Once in Sidi Slimane, phones are sold at much more affordable prices than in Europe, making the underground market attractive to both locals and resellers from other regions of Africa and Asia.
The importance of IMEI in the recovery of stolen devices
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Police forces, such as the Mossos d’Esquadra in Catalonia, They insist on the importance of reporting the theft of a phone and registering its IMEI number (International Mobile Equipment Identity). This number allows each device to be uniquely identified, facilitating its tracking in case it is detected on an illegal network or market.
However, criminal networks operating on the black market have found ways to bypass this control, often changing the IMEI or selling the devices in countries where such strict verification mechanisms do not exist.
For many users, the experience of losing a cell phone becomes a nightmare as they see how the devices, stolen in their country, end up out of reach. Susana Alegría, a victim interviewed in the program Public Mirror, shared how he was able to track his phone to Morocco shortly after it was stolen, even though it was already turned off.
Cases like Susana’s are increasingly common, and the increase in these types of incidents has led many to demand greater sanctions and international cooperation to stop this network.
The rise of markets like those in Sidi Slimane responds to demand for mobile devices at reduced prices. Buyers, regardless of the origin of the devices, find much more affordable prices in these mobile markets than in conventional stores.
This phenomenon means that the black trade in mobile phones continues to be lucrative for sellers, keeping the mobile traffic network between Europe and Africa active.
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Tags: Smartphones