Tuesday, May 2, 2017

End of the road for theft and stolen phone menace in Nigeria as CAPDAN endorse Fonreg

By: Obinna Ibeawuchi


The Computer and Allied Products Dealers Association of Nigeria (CAPDAN) in collaboration with Mobilereg Nigeria has unveiled an anti-theft software solution called Fonreg.   In an event that which took place in Lagos recently, the market association’s leadership described the product as one of CAPDAN’s efforts to provide quality leadership and service delivery to the entire computer village and the general public by ensuring that devices purchased within the market, even as a used device, is authentic and from a trackable source. This development is coming on the heels of the incessant reports of cases of buying and selling of stolen devices within the market.
Speaking at the event in his opening remarks, the president of the association Mr. Ahmed Ojikutu said the collaboration with the providers of Fonreg became necessary owing to the fact that the association has faced a lot of challenges in recent times dealing with cases of stolen electronic devices like phones and tablets, and the importation of such items as London used phones.
The solution, Fonereg, is from a British Polish company, called MobileReg. The company was launched in 2015 with the aim of providing a safe environment where members can buy, sell, check IMEI numbers, and report loss or stolen mobile phones.
Fonreg maintains a database of registered Stolen and Loss phones in different countries, whereby members can check IMEI numbers for free to determine the status of any mobile phone. This will make it harder to sell stolen mobile phones aboard. IMEI numbers can also be verified on our Fonreg IOS and Android Apps or via SMS checking services.
When finally adopted, Fonreg will reduce the cases of buying and selling of stolen phones within and outside Lagos, as efforts are in top gear to take the campaign nationwide. The product he said would be a great tool in the hands of major Mobile devices dealers, the security operatives and the user of the devices in general.
In his unveiling remarks, the CEO of MobileReg Nigeria Mr Ayodele Thomas, who described the product as a very unique solution that is already in use in Europe, explained that it is a peculiar product and possess unique functionalities. The product allows for buyers of used to be able to their IMEI numbers, using their portal buyers, sellers and users can report lost or stolen phones. Fonreg allows for mobile phone tracking through the use of GPS. It also allows for device registration from the point of purchase to authenticate their devices.
Another unique thing about Fonreg is that it provides a very secure marketplace where buyers and sellers can do authentic business. Mr. Thomas said plans were in place to collaborate with the major Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) to enhance the total functionality of Fonreg which requires mutual understanding. In the area of Sim Block, the MNOs would allow for Fonreg to carry out the duty of blocking registered Sims on their database making it easier for the MNOs to focus on other things. Another is the big data analyses; here the data are just simple names and contacts of members on the Fonreg platform.

This solution is coming at a very critical time especially with the recent incessant incidences of accusations of extortions leveled against security operatives in the computer village over complaints of stolen mobile devices traced to the market. 



Via: CAPDAN Gazette

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