More than 2,500 mobile phones were snatched in Karachi last month – report

Karachi is well known for mobile snatching incidents. Although the number of snatches have gone down significantly compared to past few years in the city, there are still many people who experience this every month.

According to a new report released by the Citizens Liaison Committee (CPLC) covering the month of April, more than 2,500 mobile phones were snatched from innocent bypassers in the city.

According to the official numbers released by CPLC, 2,576 mobile phones were snatched along with 2,149 stolen motorcycles, and 101 stolen cars. The police also announced in the report that at least 108 phones were recovered along with 448 bikes and 46 cars recovered.

 

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How to protect yourself from mobile snatchers

There is virtually no way to tell when you will become a victim of mobile snatchers in Karachi. But there are always ways you can reduce the chances that you’ll either encounter or lose a precious phone to snatchers.

For starters, make sure that you always have an affordable secondary feature phone available when you are leaving your house late at night or going to an area you have never been to.

Also always try to avoid places that are known for being popular for mobile snatchers. Whatever you do, try not to resist if you ever encounter snatchers on the way. A phone is not precious enough to risk your life.

Secondly, try to buy only registered phones so you can immediately block your set if it has been snatched. The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority has already released the DRIB system which will block any stolen or lost phone.

Call the helpline of PTA immediately when you get the chance and give them the IMEI number of the phone. If you are lucky, your phone may even be recovered. Just make sure to report the incident to your nearest police station.