Lost Your Mobile? File a Complaint on the CEIR Portal and Start Recovery Now

New Delhi: The cases of snatching are increasing on the streets, and cases of mobile theft are touching new heights every day. But the CEIR (Central Equipment Identity Register) portal of the Telecom Department is becoming a ray of hope for millions of people who give up after losing their phones. According to the latest report, in the last two years, more than 8 lakh complaints have been registered on this portal in Delhi alone. 

What is the recovery figure?

The numbers are shocking—the portal tracked the location of more than 5 lakh phones and handed them over to the police, but the recovery figure is stuck at just 13,000. That is, the success rate is only 3 percent. This gap not only exposes the limitations of technology but also raises questions on the weak links of the system.

Why is theft statistics so scary?

The graph of mobile theft in the capital is climbing rapidly, and the CEIR portal confirms this. The filing of 8 lakh complaints in two years is no coincidence—it is a mirror of the crime spread on the city's busy roads, metro stations and markets. The portal captured the location of more than 5 lakh devices, which works on the basis of IMEI number. But the recovery story is far more disappointing. Only 13,000 phones reached their owners, which is just 3 percent of the total traced phones. Experts believe this figure stems from lack of awareness, delay and neglect of follow-up. Had the system been stronger, thousands of people would have gotten their data, photos and connectivity back.

How to report theft through CEIR portal?

• Visit website: https://www.ceir.gov.in/Home/index.jsp
• Click on Block Stolen/Lost Mobile.
• Provide information about the requested device and complete details of the theft.
• Fill in your personal information and submit the form.
• Your phone will be blocked, and the tracking process will begin.

Why is police recovery stuck at only 3%?

Tracking is being done, but why is the journey of recovery incomplete? "After being traced, if the phone is switched off or the IMEI is changed, it is very difficult to trace it again. We currently do not have any advanced software for IMEI tracking—it all depends on manual verification," said a senior police officer, requesting anonymity. Many phones are lying rotting in police stations because there is no follow-up to reach the owner. The Telecom Department shares SIM details, location and FIR with the police, but negligence at the ground level is becoming a hindrance.  

What is the big challenge to increasing the recovery rate?

Mobile theft is not only a personal loss but also opens the door to cyber crime. Efforts like CEIR are commendable, but better coordination between police departments is necessary to increase the recovery rate. If your phone is lost, don't delay—complain on the portal and lodge an FIR. Will this change the 3% figure? This is the challenge of the coming days.