Selfies with stolen phone land criminals behind bars in Karachi

Suspects’ selfies automatically uploaded to victim’s Google account; NADRA’s verification led to arrest

KARACHI: Police have arrested two street criminals who revealed their identities by snapping selfies on a phone stolen at gunpoint in Karachi’s Defence Housing Authority (DHA) Phase VI.

The accused, Nadeem and Majid, robbed a woman, Erum Altaf, in Badar Commercial Area on December 27. A first information report (FIR) was registered with Darakhshan police two days later.

Investigators, though, had little to do … all thanks to the suspects’ love for selfies and lack of tech prowess.



Less than a week after the case was lodged, the suspects used the phone to take several selfies, which were automatically uploaded to the victim’s Google account.

https://twitter.com/SherySyed_/status/1084136315443138561

Police then sought the help of the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra), and the suspects’ identities were confirmed through a cross-match with Nadra records.

Soon after, Nadeem and Majid were picked up by a team of the Darakhshan police. The stolen phone and two illegal weapons were found in their possession.



The phone has since been returned to its rightful owner, and criminal proceedings have been initiated against the suspects.