Found Blackberry can I use it?

Mr_Warren_2

Hi all. A few weeks ago I found an Orange Blackberry in my car not belonging to anyone we know (immediate family)...!!..??? Took it to the Police station and a few weeks later it became mine.

The phone had a password that I got unlocked at a local Mall. However it would appear that Orange has now blocked the phone and I don't seem to be able to get it to work.

Have I wasted £15 on getting it unlocked or is there another way to get it to work?

Many thanks for your help.

grumbler

Mr_Warren wrote: »

Have I wasted £15 on getting it unlocked or is there another way to get it to work?

You probably have.

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/phones/unlock-mobile-phone

Unblocking is illegal. This is the practice of making a phone work again after it's been blocked by the networks, usually as a result of its being reported lost or stolen. Unsurprisingly, It is thoroughly illegal and should not be attempted.

Jon_01

The IMEI will have been blacklisted, that's it game over.

bengalknights

Its been reported stolen/lost and is unusable within the UK.

alexdrans

It's strange that you found a phone in the back of your car..

Mr_Warren_2

bengalknights wrote: »

Its been reported stolen/lost and is unusable within the UK.

Does it mean it can work abroad as sapre phone on holiday ???

Mr_Warren_2

alexdrans wrote: »

It's strange that you found a phone in the back of your car..

I have found lipsticks etc. in the back of my car.....I swear they don't belong to me.

Daughter had used my car to transport friends around. Friends were asked and none claimed the phone. What would you have done in such a case?

bengalknights

Mr_Warren wrote: »

Does it mean it can work abroad as sapre phone on holiday ???

Yes it will work abroad fine.

grumbler

Mr_Warren wrote: »

Does it mean it can work abroad as sapre phone on holiday ???

http://www.gsmworld.com/our-work/programmes-and-initiatives/fraud-and-security/imei_database.htm

The GSM Association provides access to the IMEI DB to its members, the GSM and 3G network operators across the world, ...
The IMEI DB also supports what is known as a "black list". The black list is a list of IMEIs that are associated with GSM or 3G devices that should be denied service on mobile networks because they have been reported as lost, stolen, faulty or otherwise unsuitable for use.

Jon_01

While 'may' work out side the UK, without the Blackberry addon's on your acc it won't work at all well.

And technically it belongs to the insurance company that paid out on to to the owner for a new one. As you've put your sim in it, your mobile number will be linked to the IMEI on your home network. If it's the same network that it was on before it was lost/stolen they 'may' notice and contact you.

gjchester

Jon_01 wrote: »

While 'may' work out side the UK, without the Blackberry addon's on your acc it won't work at all well.

And technically it belongs to the insurance company that paid out on to to the owner for a new one. As you've put your sim in it, your mobile number will be linked to the IMEI on your home network. If it's the same network that it was on before it was lost/stolen they 'may' notice and contact you.

How would that stand in the light that the OP handed it to the police who then handed it back after it was unclaimed. You would hope that the police log the IMEI agains the lost / stolen database and someone, police or insurace firm, should have got a match.

The OP has tried to reunite it with the owner and the police have now release it to him as unclaimed, AIUI it's now his in the eyes of the law.

Mind you theres also the case that the phone may have contained personal data and should have been retained by the police for that reason too..