Robbers target high-end phones put for online sale

Hubballi: Think twice before putting your cellphone to sale on online platforms, for you may become the next target for robbers. Going by their modus operandi over the last three months, the robbers are literally snatching the to-be-sold cellphones from the owners.
Miscreants, on the pretext of buying phones, summon the owners to a certain place, only to snatch the gadgets and flee the spot on bikes. The gang has been targeting the sellers of only high-end cellphones.
Interestingly, the miscreants ask the owners to bring along bills and warranty cards of the cellphones. While snatching the gadgets, they also get hold of the documents.
According to police one such case is reported in Malamaddi area, two in KCD Circle, one near NTTF (where a phone worth Rs 75,000 was robbed), one on Sattur Double Road, two in APMC, one at Desai Cross. Police are expecting more cases as the gang is still active.
Police said handsets worth Rs 2.80 lakh have been robbed so far. Requesting anonymity, a police official said that they target iPhones, Samsung Galaxy Series, Vivo V series, Y series and other phones sold at a premium in the market. “Keeping an eye on such postings, the miscreants call the owner and summon them to a certain spot on the pretext of buying their phones. Seeing an opportune time, they push the owner and get away with cellphones and documents,” the officer said.
DCP (crime and traffic) R B Basaragi said this is a new modus operandi. “Police are actively investigating the cases. Equipped with clues, we are confident of arresting the miscreants at the earliest. People also should be cautious and not fall prey to such tricks. They should opt for a safe and easy mode to sell mobiles, instead of using such platforms.”
Meanwhile, APMC/ Navanagar police arrested two persons who were allegedly involved in cellphone snatching crime on Sunday evening. Eight celllphones worth Rs 2.86 lakh and two bikes used in the crime have been recovered from the duo, identified as Akash Madliyar, 20, of Patil Chawl, Hubballi, and Akash Mule, 20, of Shettar Layout Hubballi. The police team was led by inspector Prabhu Surin.