How Illegal is a blocked phone?

InsuranceLiability

I understand that owning and/or unblocking a blocked phone is probably illegal because they are probably reported stolen or lost, but these can still be bought on ebay and at police auctions.
Does anyone have any knowledge as to the legalities of purchasing a blocked phone and getting it unblocked as this seems to represent a good bargain? Are the police auction ones for spare parts?
thanks

gizmoleeds

Not probably - has been reported lost or stolen.

The only way to get one to work is to alter the IMEI number which is itself a criminal offence.

http://www.unlockme.co.uk/blacklist.html

To quote the relevent part:

Home Secretary David Blunkett introduced a new law making re-programming IMEI numbers punishable by up to five years in jail. View / Download the Mobile Phones (Reprogramming) Act 2002 here! This new law became active on the 4th October 2002 .

feival

agreed. It is very illegal. If you don' tcare that the phone is stolen and probably the victim was mugged then go ahead. Not worth a crimincal record for handling stolen goods.

drahcir_2

and its upto 5 years inside if you get caught changing the imei

charlie12

Blocked phones tend to work fine abroad so they are still in great demand on places like eBay etc.

InsuranceLiability

So its the unblocking that is illegal - which explains how the police can sell them for used parts

thanks for your replies - I'll steer clear

mroneliner

I understood it as worse than that, the 'up to five year jail sentance' wasn't just for changing imei's, it applied to just owning the equipment/software to do it. really is something to steer well clear of

money saving is great, when it's legal of corse.

drahcir_2

mroneliner wrote:

I understood it as worse than that, the 'up to five year jail sentance' wasn't just for changing imei's, it applied to just owning the equipment/software to do it. really is something to steer well clear of

money saving is great, when it's legal of corse.

that is correct - there have been a few shops closed down/prosecuted for having the s/w and equipment that can change imei on there pc's

ultrak3wl

Changing the IMEI is only illegal in England. Get someone in Scotland to do it for you.

03022242

typical! off to scotland then..

how come thats the case?

gizmoleeds

03022242 wrote:

typical! off to scotland then..

how come thats the case?

Since the Scottish Parliament was established some things have been made their responsibilty, however, this act covers all of the United Kingdom.

It is illegal to change an IMEI in Scotland

The full text of the Act (it is not very long) can be found here:

http://www.uk-legislation.hmso.gov.uk/acts/acts2002/20020031.htm

The Act does not contain any reference to exclusions for any part of the United Kingdom (and even emphasises that the Act extends to Northern Ireland). Without this an Act of Parliament is enforcible by all courts of the UK.

The explanatory notes can be found here:

http://www.hmso.gov.uk/acts/en2002/2002en31.htm

Paragraph 14 of the Act's explanatory notes:
"The Act extends to the United Kingdom"