Bengaluru, 2 March

Mobile phone thefts continue to be a major concern in Bengaluru, with a worrying trend emerging where victims are increasingly reluctant to report incidents to the police. Despite heightened vigilance, many feel the complaint process is frustrating, with little hope of recovering their stolen devices.

In a recent case, Praveen Kumar, a student from Andhra Pradesh, lost his phone to bike-borne thieves on the night of 28 February. The incident occurred around 11pm on 19th Main Road, Jayanagar, when two miscreants snatched his phone and fled before he could react. Though Praveen filed a complaint with the police, the chances of recovery remain uncertain. Investigators are now reviewing CCTV footage to identify the suspects.

On the same night, a cab driver in Puttenahalli also had his phone stolen by two bikers. However, unlike Praveen, the driver chose not to report the theft, fearing the process would be overly complicated and ultimately pointless.

This reluctance to approach the police is becoming common, say sources. Many victims believe the complaint process is time-consuming and rarely leads to the recovery of their phones. Victims are often asked to submit complaints online through the Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR) or e-lost report portals, but updates or follow-ups are scarce.

A senior police official noted the difficulty in tracking stolen phones, particularly with the rise of inter-state mobile theft networks. One such case saw a phone tracked from Bengaluru to Punjab, only for it to change hands multiple times, making recovery nearly impossible. This growing sense of helplessness is eroding public trust in the system.