Recent Investigations Show How Most Phones Bought Online are Stolen Phones

By ZR Reporter

A growing number of people in Zambia are buying used phones from places like the UK, Dubai, and China, only to find out later that the devices are locked and unusable.

Investigations show that many of these phones come from an illegal global trade. Phones are often stolen off the streets in major international cities and then hidden in bulk shipments. Smugglers pass these devices through different countries until they end up in local markets.

Buyers usually do not notice a problem right away. A phone might work fine for a few days. However, once the device connects to the internet or a local network, it contacts the maker’s main computer system. If the true owner abroad has reported the phone lost or stolen, the system instantly blocks it. A message often pops up saying it is locked to the owner, turning the phone into a useless piece of metal and glass.

Experts and consumer groups warn people to be very careful when buying second-hand phones from abroad. Buyers are advised to check the phone’s unique identification number, known as the IMEI, by dialing star-hash-zero-six-hash on the keypad and to make sure the device is fully cleared and signed out of any old accounts before paying for it.

© Zambia Reports | August 10, 2026