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Help! My phone’s been stolen

We explain what criminals want from your phone and where it goes.

Phone theft is really common - but what happens to your phone after it’s stolen? Nowadays it’s not just about taking the phone to sell on, or strip for parts. Now thieves will try to scam you afterwards to get your data or bank details. Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Journalist Zofia Louise’s phone was stolen in London and ended up in Dubai. She talks Hannah through her experience.

Nigeria and Brazil also see a lot of phone robberies - Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ journalist Makuochi Okafor tells us what it’s like in Lagos and Jessica Cruz, from the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ bureau in Sao Paolo, describes how people there try to avoid being a victim of phone theft.

Lots of stolen phones seem to turn up in Shenzhen in China. Shawn Yuan from the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Global China Unit explains why. And we get tips on how to keep your phone and data safe from British cybersecurity expert Jake Moore.

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld
WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6
Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk
Presenters: Hannah Gelbart and Zofia Louise
Producers: Alex Rhodes and Julia Ross-Roy
Editor: Verity Wilde

Available now

13 minutes

Last on

Fri 7 Jun 2024 02:50GMT

Broadcasts

  • Thu 6 Jun 2024 17:50GMT
  • Fri 7 Jun 2024 02:50GMT

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