The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has requested everyone to verify the authenticity of handsets by checking the IMEI before buying any phone to prevent the import of illegal cell phones.
Besides, customers have also been requested to collect receipts of mobile phones, reports UNB.
BTRC made the request through a notice.
Customers intending to purchase a device can get the 15-digit IMEI number by dialing *#06# from the handset.
The legality of the handset can be checked by sending an SMS with the IMEI to 16002 (for example: KYD 123456789012345). A return SMS will inform the user whether the handset was imported legally.
Mobile phones with fake/clone IMEI will be detected through National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR) and disconnected from network, the BTRC said.
The telecom regulator has already built a database of International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number of mobile sets legally imported since January 2018.