One IMEI, 35227301738634, was associated with around 1.75 million devices, while 35275101952326 appeared on 1.52 million handsets. Even more strikingly, a one-digit IMEI of “0” was found to be linked to 586,331 active devices. Sources said that of nearly 1.98 million iPhones active on local networks, around 1.95 million were not imported legally. Similarly, of the 23.1 million Samsung phones in use, about 14.9 million are believed to have entered the market without paying taxes. Analysts estimate that just 10 IMEIs account for nearly five million phones, highlighting the extent to which grey-market imports dominate the handset ecosystem.

Source: Dhaka Tribune January 03, 2026 21:02 UTC