“Crime gangs rake in up to £4 million a year by flogging ‘recycled’ stolen mobile phones overseas. Officials revealed crooks have been giving blocked mobile phones a second lease of life by exporting them. Police said the phones still work abroad and up to 100,000 handsets worth an average of £40 each are resold on the black market. The Government, police and mobile phone industry joined forces today to sign an agreement designed to close the loophole.”
The Independent, 23rd July 2010
Source: www.independent.co.uk