IMEI Cloning: Escaping Taxes, Getting Caught in Crime

In Turkey, buying a smartphone has become a luxury. Especially with the taxes and registration fees applied to imported phones, it's a financial burden for many. As a result, more people have started to purchase phones from abroad at more affordable prices. However, the government has imposed a significant IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) registration fee for these phones. As of 2024, this fee stands at a staggering 45,614 TRY! Being forced to pay such an amount for a phone has pushed many citizens to the brink of exasperation.

Tax or Jail? Citizens Caught in a Dilemma

Faced with such high costs, many citizens are turning to illegal means. One method that has become widespread recently is IMEI cloning. IMEI numbers from old or lost phones are copied and transferred to newly purchased phones. This way, the phone appears as legally registered, but the system is being tricked. Of course, this short-term solution brings long-term problems.

Firstly, this practice is entirely illegal. According to Law No. 5809 on Electronic Communications, altering or copying an IMEI number is a crime. Once detected, the phone is disconnected from the network and blocked for use. The Information and Communication Technologies Authority (BTK) identifies these devices and initiates legal proceedings. The second big issue is the risk of involvement in a crime. The IMEI number you copied may have been used in another crime. Or your phone may unknowingly be involved in illegal activities. The result? It’s up to you to prove you have a second phone or that you haven't engaged in any illegal actions.

IMEI Cloning: Heavy Punishments, Heavier Costs

Article 244 of the Turkish Penal Code covers such cybercrimes. Changing, copying, or cloning an IMEI number is considered “illegal interference with an information system.” The penalty for this is imprisonment ranging from 1 to 5 years. So, when you clone an IMEI, not only does your phone get blocked, but you also face the risk of being prosecuted in criminal court.

Furthermore, if a crime is committed using the phone with the cloned IMEI, you will be the first suspect. This is because the cloned IMEI number could originally belong to someone else or have been involved in a crime. According to Article 135 of the Turkish Penal Code, in such cases, you could also be charged with the unlawful recording or use of personal data. The penalty for this is imprisonment from 2 to 4 years. Additionally, Article 136 states that if these personal data are shared or disseminated, the sentence can increase to 2 to 6 years. In short, a small action like IMEI cloning can lead to significant legal consequences.

Tax Policy or Citizens’ Breaking Point?

The state is trying to generate revenue by increasing taxes, but this is pushing citizens to resort to illegal methods. The high IMEI registration fee and the astronomical taxes on phones inevitably lead to more widespread IMEI cloning and other unlawful activities. While citizens are trying to escape the tax burden, they end up facing another legal dilemma. It's unjust for people, already struggling with high prices and taxes, to also be at risk of imprisonment.

The solution is not to weigh down citizens with such heavy tax burdens. The government should consider adopting a more reasonable tax policy that takes into account people's purchasing power. If people weren’t forced to pay 45,000 TRY for an IMEI registration, they wouldn't feel the need to resort to illegal means and wouldn’t harm themselves or others in the process. However, under the current circumstances, both those trying to evade taxes and innocent IMEI holders who are unaware of the situation are getting hurt.

By the way... For those who claim the economy in Turkey is doing well and say things like "The economy is booming!"—before you ask us to "show our phones," take a look at the 45,000 TRY IMEI registration fee.

When we take out our phones, the debt still stays hidden in the wallet!