IMEI cloning is a form of mobile fraud where a criminal copies the IMEI of a legitimate device onto a stolen or counterfeit phone. It is illegal in most countries, but it happens more often than most people realize. Here is what you need to know.
IMEI cloning in one sentence: It is the digital equivalent of copying someone else's license plate onto a stolen car — the vehicle looks legitimate on the surface, but it is not.
Why do criminals clone IMEIs?
There are two main reasons criminals clone IMEIs:
- To bypass blacklists: When a stolen phone is reported, its IMEI is blacklisted. By copying a clean IMEI from a legitimate device onto the stolen phone, the thief makes it usable on networks again.
- To avoid tracking: Law enforcement can track devices by IMEI. Cloning makes a phone harder to trace, as it appears to be a different, legitimate device.
How does IMEI cloning work?
IMEI numbers are stored in a chip inside the phone called the EEPROM. On some Android devices, this chip can be reprogrammed using specialist software tools that are widely available online. The criminal reads a legitimate IMEI from one device and writes it onto the stolen device's chip.
iPhones are significantly harder to clone due to Apple's secure enclave and hardware verification systems, though it is not impossible on older models.
How to detect if a phone has a cloned IMEI
Detecting a cloned IMEI is difficult without specialized tools, but there are some signs to watch for:
- The device and IMEI do not match: Use a free IMEI checker to verify the IMEI matches the brand and model the seller claims. If a phone is sold as a Samsung Galaxy S23 but the IMEI returns as a different model — something is wrong.
- The IMEI on the device does not match the box: Always check that the IMEI shown by dialing *#06# matches the IMEI on the box and the SIM tray sticker. On a cloned device, these often differ.
- Strange network behavior: If you have a cloned IMEI and the original device's owner is also active, you may experience dropped calls, SMS delivery issues, or unexpected service interruptions as the network struggles with two devices sharing the same IMEI.
- Unusual pricing: A device priced far below market value should raise suspicion.
What happens if two devices share the same IMEI?
When two devices share the same IMEI and are both active on the network simultaneously, the carrier's systems can detect the conflict. This can result in service issues for both devices — including dropped calls, data interruptions, and in some cases, both devices being investigated or suspended.
Innocent owners of legitimate devices can therefore be affected if their IMEI is cloned onto another device — a deeply frustrating situation that is difficult to resolve quickly.
Legal warning: IMEI tampering and cloning is a criminal offence in most countries. In the UK it is covered by the Mobile Telephones (Re-programming) Act 2002. In the US it violates federal law. Penalties include significant fines and imprisonment.
How to protect yourself
- Always verify the IMEI when buying second-hand — check it matches the device model
- Compare the IMEI on the device (*#06#) with the IMEI on the box and SIM tray
- Buy from reputable sources and demand proof of purchase
- Be suspicious of prices that are significantly below market value
- If you suspect your IMEI has been cloned, contact your carrier immediately
Verify any IMEI for free
The first step to detecting a cloned IMEI is checking if the device matches what it claims to be.
Free IMEI Check →