iPhone's Sold in Black Market Overseas

The national registry for stolen phones created by cell phone carriers in the United States makes it nearly impossible for a thief to reactivate a device, however, the phone can be sold overseas with no problem. On November 1st of last year, market giants such as T-mobile, AT&T, Sprint, and Verizon collaborated to share serial numbers with the registry making cell phones easier to identify if stolen. VIN numbers are engraved in each device making it more difficult for a thief to register it with a different wireless service. Even when the SIM card is removed, after the serial number is entered into a database, it would display as a stolen phone. Unfortunately, cellular providers in other countries do not partake in the national registry opening a window for criminals to sell smartphones more smoothly. In doing so, secondhand vendors buy used smartphones with cash and then turnaround and sell them to dealers who end up distributing them to merchants in China and/or Africa. Gamestop, a video-game store in Texas, was in the market of purchasing used smartphones but once stolen devices were found in their custody, they soon partnered with police to give them the serial number of each phone they buy. The Federal Communications Commission is trying to remedy the black market situation by recently signing a contract with Mexico to involve their cellular providers in the U.S. registry. For the future, the FCC aims to engage other countries as well. (via) Kioskea News Photo Credit: Bjorn Olsson