Also, does changing the IMEI number render the sim card/s useless, or do they still work after changing them?
Furthermore, can someone point me to a working, non-survey/malware bullshit software to do this?
Many thanks
My friend in UK uses a cheap dual-sim nokia phone to communicate regarding his drug dealing business. Would regularly changing his IMEI benefit his opsec?
Also, does changing the IMEI number render the sim card/s useless, or do they still work after changing them?
Furthermore, can someone point me to a working, non-survey/malware bullshit software to do this?
Many thanks
[3 Points] steue2u:
[4 Points] None:
Its amazing how little most of these folks actually know around here.
[2 Points] Sophisticated_Murder:
I didn't think you could change the IMEI of a phone. It would be like trying to change the number of your house.
But it's pretty common for dealers' to swap phones/numbers every couple of months anyway
[2 Points] HashKing:
Dual sim has 2 IMEI, one for each sim slot. Even if he's changing his sim out monthly, he is still vulnerable to those stingray devices.
[2 Points] Devoid_:
Buying a new burner phone would be infinitely easier and cheaper. So what you have to text all your contacts your new number. It's only your business plugs there can't be that many. Come up with a codename like "yo it's whitebread" so you don't defeat the purpose of a burner phone
[1 Points] Dnm_cunt:
You can buy stealth phones. They pop up every now and then on the markets but you can buy them legitimately.
But really it's just a Samsung G600 with custom firmware which you can find if you look hard enough, changing the IMEI is just one of the features. It will also tell you if your phone has connected to a rouge tower.
[1 Points] Espionage724:
You can change your IMEI number, but as to how easy/possible this is depends on the device.
I have a cheap Chinese smartwatch with GSM support via micro SIM, and can easily change the IMEI with some GUI serial writer program (in theory anyway; haven't tried it personally), and as I understand, any phone using the same modem can also change it this way.
As for how legal it is; I'm pretty sure it's not in most countries. I wouldn't recommend getting caught doing it :p
[1 Points] huzibizi:
the phone's fine on its own, use calls since texts are saved. use giffgaff (uses o2) and switch the sims around, you can refer all your blowas and keep getting £5 free credit.
You can get stacks of the giffgaff sims with £5 free credit from ebay (ofc you have to top up, but you get another £5 when referring another number)
Re changing imei, you mean a new phone right? I'm pretty low-level, i just get a new phone when it breaks, usually 2nd hand, maybe once or twice a year.
[1 Points] thecheat420:
If you can find a way to change IMEI numbers on Galaxy devices let me know. All the methods I find on Google end up not working.
[1 Points] alfabi:
Your phone can be wiretapped by IMEI, MSI,MSIDN. Changing imei without changing SIM wont help you. If LE has interess into you and know your imei, they will know msi too.
[1 Points] fuqboi1738:
Does he use one sim for personal use and one for dealing? Changing phones or sims isn't really opsec and doesn't offer as much protection as people think. In fact, these days it's looked for and more of a redflag. Especially if he turns one off and immediately turns another on, or the other way around. The only benefit I see is if someone has his number who he doesn't want to deal with, he can make sure he doesn't give them the new number. But since it's near impossible to change the patterns of our life (where we go and the people we call), if an agency is looking for him, it is almost trivial to correlate his movements to find his new phone/number. And if he does as I asked (use 2 sims at once), then they are constantly moving together, so there is no doubt they are the same person. If I am misunderstanding the situation, let me know.
[1 Points] Vendor_BBMC:
Does he talk to customers without scrambling using something like redphone?
IMEI is connected to the hardware itself as mentioned already. If needs to use a mobile for this, sounds like your friend is best sticking to burner phones. Otherwise I'd recommend encrypted VOIP/messaging apps like Red Phone, Signal, etc.
With encrypted voice/mesages over data there are no cellular records and interception is effectively worthless. Just be sure to delete history once not needed, protect access to the involved apps, and use whatever strong security is available on the device itself (longer alphanumeric passcodes, fingerprint lock and so on).