Stolen cell phones – and how to get them back

A stolen cell phone means a lot of trouble for the owner. Not only the value of the device weighs heavily, the loss of countless personal contacts, photos and videos hurt. The crime is by no means rare. In Luxembourg, 223 cell phones with the application of violence were stolen last year. In 2023 the number was 162 cases below, in 2022 it was 225.

This emerges from the answer to a parliamentary question by MP Laurent Mosar (CSV). The police statistics cannot be found out how many cell phones were stolen without violence, for example by handbag or trick theft.

The victim of theft is usually primarily due to getting his cell phone back as soon as possible. However, this can be quite complex depending on the case.

The owner can determine the location itself

The Ministry of the Interior advises the victims to file a complaint with the police. The next step is to locate the stolen cell phone – for example, on judicial arrangement by research by the mobile phone operators. Or by the owner himself, who determines the location of the cell phone himself using an app.

If the device is found in a publicly accessible room, the police can proceed without searching for a search and to question the suspect directly. If there is no suspect nearby, the officials can confiscate the cell phone.

When the cell phone is in a private apartment, a house search ordered by the judge is necessary – unless the perpetrator is caught in the act.

Police warn for caution

So that theft does not even occur, the police primarily focus on prevention. For example, police officers are increasingly patrol on streets and squares with increased risk, pointing outpake and leaflets for pickpockets and informing the population with the prevention vehicle that is used once or twice a month in markets and festivals.

The Ministry of the Interior also points out that too Surveillance cameras play a role in preventing thefts.

No matter how the investigation is going: Only when the procedure has been completed will the stolen get his cell phone back. In the meantime, he either has to get along without a cell phone or get a replacement device.