JEDDAH, 12 April 2007 — Stealing cell phones and then selling them in the black market has become something of an irritating phenomenon nowadays. The theft of cell phones has spread rapidly and is known to increase during the Haj and Umrah seasons when Jeddah is flooded with pilgrims from across the world.
Thieves, usually riding small scooters, snatch cell phones from people’s hands. The thieves, who work in pairs, are known to approach people from behind using scooters that guarantee a quick getaway.
In order to reduce the problem, the Saudi Telecom Company (STC) has begun a new and free service. People whose cell phones are stolen can now disable their phones and erase their memories wirelessly through the STC service. Cell phones are left irreparable and useless to thieves.
Samir Nugali, a 34-year-old Saudi, has had two cell phones stolen in the past year. “It has become irritating. Each time I go out, I have to keep an eye open whenever I make a call,” he said, adding that his cell phone was once snatched on Sari Street while he was midway through a call.
“Two Africans riding a scooter snatched the phone from my hand. I was worried about the private content that I had in my phone and all the numbers that had taken me ages to gather,” he said, adding that the STC initiative will hopefully put a stop to cell phone theft.
Saudi teacher Saleh Al-Zahrani, 29, said that at least three of his friends have had their cell phones stolen. His own cell phone was stolen from his pocket during a visit to Makkah.
“I lost lots of important data, including private family video clips,” Al-Zahrani said, adding that he has visited many phone shops hoping to find his phone for sale.
“It was like searching for a needle in a haystack,” he said.
Saleh Khamis, a cell phone dealer at the Madain Al-Fahd cell phone market, said that it is common for cell phone shops to buy and sell used phones. He added that shops have recently stopped buying cell phones that do not come with a guarantee or purchase receipt.
“There is an underground market that accepts stolen phones and resells them at cheaper rates depending on the condition of the phone. Hopefully, the STC’s new service will stop thieves,” he said.
He added that people should never hold their cell phones in their hands while walking in the street. “While making calls they should keep a lookout for potential thieves,” he added.
He said that even when the cell phone is in the pocket, people should still take care, especially in crowded areas. “Above all, never keep private pictures or videos on your cell phone and always keep a backup of your contacts,” he said.
