Cyberabad police recover 1,061 stolen phones worth ₹3.2 crore, hand them over to owners

Hyderabad: Cyberabad Police on Thursday recovered 1,061 stolen and lost mobile phones worth about ₹3.2 crore and returned them to their owners. Officers traced the devices from several parts of the state and country under the Cyberabad Commissionerate. The handover ceremony took place at the Cyberabad Police Commissionerate, drawing several relieved victims.

Cyberabad police recover stolen phones and return them to owners

Cyberabad Crime DCP Muthyam Reddy said the happiness visible in victims’ eyes after receiving their phones was “invaluable.” Moreover, he explained that some phones were traced within just 15 days, while others surfaced nearly a year later. The recovered devices included iPhones and several premium smartphones.

In addition, the DCP praised the continuous work of five Central Crime Station (CCS) teams that located and brought back the stolen phones. He said the teams recovered devices stolen in Cyberabad from various other states. As a result of their consistent effort, many citizens regained valuable personal data and property.

DCP cautions the public against buying cheap or stolen phones

Addressing the gathering, DCP Muthyam Reddy warned citizens against buying cheap second-hand phones. He stated that purchasing or keeping stolen property is a criminal offence. “Telangana Police are ready to chase offenders wherever they operate,” he said.

Furthermore, he observed that while chain snatching and house burglaries once dominated city crime, phone thefts and cyber offences have now become more frequent. He noted that thieves often steal phones intentionally or pass them to cybercriminal networks for misuse.

He urged citizens to remain alert and to report cyber offences immediately by calling 1930. “If stolen phones reach anti-social elements, they could be misused for cybercrimes,” he warned. Therefore, he advised everyone to keep their phones safe and to verify the source before buying any used device.

Over 13,000 stolen phones recovered so far in Cyberabad

So far, Cyberabad Police have recovered 13,423 stolen mobile phones across nine recovery phases. In the latest phase, officers retrieved 1,061 phones from Madhapur, Balanagar, Medchal, Rajendranagar, and Shamshabad zones, as well as from the IT Cell and Medchal Law and Order stations.

Besides returning the recovered phones, DCP Muthyam Reddy congratulated inspectors, sub-inspectors, and constables who played a key role in the operation. Finally, he reminded citizens to handle their phones carefully, avoid buying stolen goods, and report suspicious deals to the nearest police station.