This July, the Mossos d’Esquadra have made a major blow against several criminal gangs dedicated to the theft of cell phones in Catalonia. The balance: more than 1,000 devices recovered and a new online search engine so you can check, in seconds, if yours is among them.
The mechanics is simple and has been explained by the police force in the X network: you need the IMEI code of your phone (that 15-digit number that uniquely identifies it) and enter it in the search engine enabled on the official website of the Mossos. If it appears as “recovered”, you will receive an email with instructions on how to claim it by sending your data and the theft report.
The police remind that many of these thefts occur in crowded areas or service areas, sometimes using inhibitors to prevent you from locking the car with the remote control. So, if you have your IMEI handy, now is a good time to check if your mobile has reappeared… and who knows, maybe you will have it back in your hands sooner than you think.
How to get your IMEI
If you have the phone in your possession, just dial *#06# on the keypad and it will appear on the screen. But if you don’t have it (because it has been stolen or lost), there are several alternatives:
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Original box: look for a sticker with the IMEI next to the serial number.
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Invoice or purchase receipt: many stores include it on the receipt.
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Google or Apple account:
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On Android: go to google.com/android/find, log in and check under Devices.
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On iPhone: go to appleid.apple.com, log in and select your iPhone in the Devices section.
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Your carrier: if you had the phone registered with them, they can give you the IMEI associated with your line.