The Delhi Police have busted a large-scale counterfeit smartphone racket involved in illegally assembling and selling fake Samsung Galaxy devices in the capital. The operation was unearthed during a raid in the Karol Bagh area, leading to the arrest of four persons and the seizure of over 500 counterfeit smartphones.
Police said the racket was discreetly targeting customers seeking premium smartphones at unusually low prices, passing off fake devices as high-end Samsung Galaxy models, including Ultra variants and foldable phones.
How the fake Galaxy phones were made
Investigations revealed that the accused sourced key components such as motherboards, camera modules, batteries and phone frames from overseas suppliers, primarily from China. These parts were assembled locally, often mixed with salvaged or generic components, to closely resemble genuine Samsung devices.
To further deceive buyers and evade basic checks, the gang used fake IMEI stickers marked “Made in Vietnam”, giving the phones the appearance of legitimate imports and helping them bypass initial scrutiny.
Sold at ‘too-good-to-be-true’ prices
While original Samsung Galaxy flagship phones typically retail for over ₹1 lakh in India, the counterfeit versions were sold for ₹35,000 to ₹40,000. Police said the steep price difference played a major role in luring unsuspecting buyers, many of whom believed they were purchasing genuine phones at discounted rates.
Officials noted that customers unfamiliar with identifying counterfeit electronics were particularly vulnerable to such scams.
Seizure details and arrests
During the raid, police recovered 512 fake Samsung Galaxy smartphones, along with hundreds of loose components, packaging material, stickers and specialised tools used for assembly. Four suspects were arrested on the spot.
Authorities believe similar counterfeit devices may already be circulating in the market through informal retail channels and online listings. Further questioning is underway to trace the wider supply chain and identify distributors in other cities.
Police advisory to consumers
Following the bust, Delhi Police urged buyers to remain cautious while purchasing premium smartphones. Consumers have been advised to buy devices only from authorised retailers, verify IMEI numbers through official channels and avoid deals that appear unusually cheap.
The investigation is ongoing, with police working to track the origin of components and determine whether similar counterfeit operations are active elsewhere in the country.