Goverment is tightening the screws on cellphones with fake, duplicate, invalid IMEI. Every cellphone be it GSM or CDMA is to have a valid and unique IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity). IMEI is passed on to the network from the handset at regular intervals. This identity has been used effectively in western countries to track stolen phones even if the SIM card has been replaced.  Many reputed retailers also have sold the so called chinese handsets to unsuspecting consumers and it is widely believed that most of these handsets donot have valid / unique IMEI. TOI has promoted many such handsets since 2008 thru Readers offer and TOI should come forward to clarify if the handsets sold thru their outlet have any IMEI issues.

You can get your IMEI by pressing *#06# and store the displayed 15 digit number safely. TOI dt 28th Oct 09 informs that you can SMS this number to 57886 and receive official infoif this is genuine or not. Some readers gave a feedback that this SMS process is not working properly.

Whinepedia has started receiving issues from users and can be found in Buzzing Issues link. Other users who suspect their handsets IMEI or want to build pressure on sellers by grouping together can enter their issues with whinepedia. This issue comes under Electronics->Cellphones category.