Buying stolen devices is considered a crime of receiving stolen goods, punishable by imprisonment and a fine. Learn more about the subject!
The number of cell phone thefts and robberies has increased in Brazil, especially in large cities. Many criminals steal or rob the devices and end up selling them to people who then resell them. Buying cell phones knowing that they are the result of theft, robbery or any other crime is considered a crime of receiving stolen goods and is covered by the Penal Code. In such cases, the penalty can be one to four years in prison, in addition to a fine.
However, many people end up buying devices without knowing their origin. In these cases, when the buyer is not aware of the crime, can he be arrested?
Find out more details now and pay close attention when buying a used cell phone.
Receiving
Even if the buyer of the cell phone is not aware of the theft, he or she may be charged with the crime of receiving stolen goods. Therefore, even if the buyer had no intention of committing the crime, due to a lack of caution, he or she ended up acquiring the asset that came from a criminal activity.
The penalty for this type of crime, negligent receiving of stolen goods, is less than that for intentional receiving of stolen goods. The penalty ranges from one to six months in prison and a fine.
To avoid this type of situation, it is best to be careful when purchasing goods from third parties, especially when they are priced well below market value or when there are signs that something is wrong. It is also best to request a receipt for the product, proving that it is not the result of something illegal.
Care
– Only buy cell phones with a receipt and compare the features of the device with the information described in the document, such as brand, color, version, and others.
– Beware of very low prices. This may indicate that something is wrong with the device. Check the prices before making the purchase.
– Check if the number of Cell phone IMEI has any record of theft, robbery or loss. This can be done through the Anatel website.
Theft or robbery
If you are a victim of robbery or theft, it is ideal to contact your telephone operator to request that the device's IMEI be blocked and the telephone line be blocked to prevent criminals from accessing calls and SMS.
It is also important to file a police report in your state so that the authorities are aware of the case. The report can be filed by people over 18 years of age, with a valid CPF and ID. When filing the police report, the device's IMEI will appear with a restriction. Therefore, before buying a used cell phone, it is important to check the device's IMEI.
Number of robberies and thefts
In 2022 alone, 999,223 occurrences of cell phone thefts and robberies were recorded. The number represents an increase of 16.6% compared to 2021, according to data from the Brazilian Public Security Yearbook, released last year.
The increase in the number of cases in Sao Paulo was 19.7% in 2022. Most cases occur on streets, subway stations and in cars stopped in traffic.
In addition to selling the devices, many criminals gain access to the device and carry out banking transactions, create accounts, request loans and register for federal government programs using the victim's data.
