What to Do When Your Stolen Phone Shows Up Under a Different Model with a New IMEI

Losing a smartphone can be a distressing experience, and dealing with the aftermath can be even more complicated. A recent experience shared by a user highlights a particularly perplexing situation: two months after their OnePlus 5 was stolen, they discovered it appearing in their Google Find My Phone account as a OnePlus 3T, complete with a new IMEI number. This post delves into the implications of this scenario and explores possible steps to take if you find yourself in a similar predicament.

The Discovery of a New Identity

After reporting the theft to the police but receiving no updates, the user checked Google Find My Phone, only to find surprising information. Their stolen OnePlus 5 was now listed as a OnePlus 3T, registered on September 15, with the last activity recorded on September 17. The change in device identity, particularly the IMEI number, raises significant questions regarding the status of the device.

What Could Explain This?

Firmware Modification or Cloning: One possibility is that the thief may have changed the phone’s firmware, effectively altering how it’s identified on tracking systems. Alternatively, they could have cloned the IMEI of a different OnePlus device, which is a common tactic among thieves to obscure a stolen phone’s identity.
Selling or Reselling: The stolen phone might have been sold to someone who, in turn, tried to deregister it or used it for personal purposes, thereby registering it under a different account.
Tracking Misalignment: Sometimes, devices can appear incorrectly on tracking apps due to syncing issues or database errors within the service.

Steps You Can Take

If you find your stolen phone displaying altered information, here are a few actions you can consider:

Notify the Authorities Again: Share the new information, including the device’s current model and IMEI. Providing them with updated details might help in tracking down your device.
Contact Your Service Provider: Inform your mobile carrier about the stolen phone. They may assist in blocking the new IMEI number or provide further assistance.
Monitor Your Google Account: Regularly check your Google Account for any suspicious activity associated with the detected device, as this could provide further clues.
Stay Calm and Patient: Frustration and anxiety are understandable, but remember that police and Tech Support teams can