The Indian Cellular Association has appealed the Government to ban cell phones with cloned International Mobile Equipment Identity, citing security concerns.

Pankaj Mohindroo, president of ICA, has also suggested consumers to confirm if they have the correct IMEI number a genuine IMEI number is reproduced on several illegal handsets, which are being sold in the grey market.

Speaking on the issue, Mr. Mohindroo said, "We find many cell phones with cloned number in the grey market, which mostly sells cheap imported ones."

It may be noted here that the government has already prohibited handsets without numbers, but cloned IMEI numbers are still hitting the Indian markets.

Mr. Mohindroo further said that the thriving unbranded market is defiance to both the industry and the government.

He added that ICA was directed to stop processing the calls that come from mobile phones with IMEI numbers not found in the updated GSMSA database or without IMEI number as well as IMEI numbers that have zero.