About 100,000 complaints of mobile phone thefts were registered in 2010 in France. The robberies have increased by 40% in 2010 and nearly 75% of these thefts are linked to mobile phones. That’s why the police now speaks about the “iPhone effect”. Indeed, Smartphones can be sold for up to 250 euros clandestinely.

To curb this phenomenon, especially in public transport, prevention campaigns have been implemented: stickers on bus windows, distribution of flyers to warn customers to be vigilant when they use their phone in public. The police  recommend vigilance, that is to say, keep your phone inside your bag or in your pocket during the trip. However, when we see the large number of passengers who play with their mobile phone during the journey, the issue will continue.

Thus, the number of thefts remains high, however the police estimates that about a third of complaints were false and intended to be repaid by insurance for a phone that has simply been lost.

But, things could change with the new law LOPS 2 (Orientation Law and Programming Performance for Homeland Security) passed in March. This law provides an automatic procedure: the victim files a complaint and the police, with his consent, transmits to the operator the IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity). It allows to prohibit the use of the device on the network. Indeed, when the owner complains, the IMEI number is added to a blacklist and the phone will no longer be allowed to make calls, thus, the phone will be unusable.

Therefore it is important to know this number, it is composed of fifteen digits and is often written under the battery. It is also possible to have it by dialing * # 06 # on the keyboard of the phone, it is of course recommended to keep it handy.

http://www.lefigaro.fr/actualite-france/2010/12/29/01016-20101229ARTFIG00460-flambee-des-vols-avec-violences-dans-les-transports.php

http://www.01net.com/editorial/527335/vols-de-mobiles-entre-prevention-et-fausses-declarations/

See here for more details (In French)