I'm looking for advice here, if anyone has some creative ideas.

Like the title states.

His phone was stolen about a week and a half ago. He buys a new Windows Mobile device (from AT&T) and re "syncs" with the exchange server, resuming the use of his contacts. About a week later, he sees all of his contacts are missing and seven unfamiliar new ones are now there. A few minutes later another is added...and so on.

Now, he recovered his contacts and saved the new ones for future "use".

Obviously the moron that stole the phone didn't remove the exchange settings from the device and it's syncing.

Is there any simple or easy way to track this guy down; ATT says they cannot. I thought they kept IMEI #s and SIM cards used in a database. I'd imagine the local PD won't care much, and my brother passed on the insurance so that he could upgrade to a newer phone, so ins. company is no good.

Also, I realize there's a chance that the person now using the phone may not be the one that stole it, but may offer some help.

Sorry for the long-winded post; thanks in advance.

Barrett

 

There has been previous reports where cops were able to put their hands on someone due to them doing this kinda dumbass thing. Your bro should show the phone to the cops with all the details of the new contacts and explain what happened.

Very easy to get hold of the criminal this way I can assure you.

 

AT&T is give your brother a load of crap. They can track him down within several feet, if they want to. They are just too damn lazy to do it. Your brother should push the subject with them making a comment that he feels the phone is being used for illegal activities, etc.

He could also keep messing with the person and deleting the contacts and adding some new ones - places like strip clubs, etc.

 

hahah 2nd i work for another GSM cell phone company. and they wont waste their time and resources to locate a stolen cell phone. but yes i would go in and change all the numbers to random businesses. kepp the names the same but change all the numbers. or keep the girls names but switch all their numbers around so the person doesnt know what girl they (he?) is talking to and gets him screwed over.

 

To answer your question, yes, the phone can be located quite easily. However, the likelihood that anyone actually will do it is slim.

You can fill out a police report, and give them the information so that they know that the phone is still trackable, but in all honesty, if police don't bother pursuing criminals that steal cars, why would they bother pursuing criminals that steal cell phones. Neither one of these things are profitable for them. They'd rather sit on the side of the road and increase their revenues by writing speeding tickets to otherwise-law-abiding citizens.

 

Screw with him. Keep the names the same but switch the numbers to a police Dept, the FBI, the CIA, Homeland Security, etc. You won't get it back but you can have some fun!

 

switch all the numbers to 911. if he dials by the name, he'll keep calling 911, and they'll eventually look into it.

 

Call up one of the 7 added contacts and say you're "enter barista's name" at the Starbucks on "enter cross streets." First ask politely who's phone you're calling from as a customer has left it on the table. After you get the name, ask the contact if your thief has home or work number you could reach him at. If yes, then cool, if not ask "well, he's a local right?" If yes, then cool, if not the contact will probably tell you where the thief is from. End it with a "Would you mind telling him he left his phone here? Thank you" Now you have the name, maybe an alternate number, and city of residence. It's a good place to start your P.I. work.

Not sure if the scenario I laid out would even work, but it plays pretty well in my head. Hope things work out for you. I've had my phone stolen by a friend's acquaintance before. I know how it feels to be that close to catching the thief.

 

The only issue is that the stolen phone has a different number now, so if we call from our phone they won't recognize the number.

I do appreciate the creative suggestions though.

 

Still worth a try, but it will just be harder for phish for information.