IMEI numbers

Taken from a posting in Slashdot

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Re:Most people? (Score:5, Informative)
by jacksonj04 (800021) <nick@tn-uk.net> on Saturday April 23, @04:07PM (#12324435)
(http://nick.tn-uk.net/)
You're referring to the IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identifier) number. This is sent to the carrier network along with every "hello", and is unique to the device (Although it is possible to reflash new IMEI numbers to some phones). In theory any phone can be pulled from all networks across the world once it is reported stolen, which is why phone companies tell you to keep the box and write down the IMEI number.

For the curious, dialling *#06# on most phones will show you the IMEI of the handset.