Dealer of jammers threatens high fine

The Federal Network Agency has searched the premises of a dealer of jammers and seized quite a few devices. The accused is said to have sold 60 self-built jammers over the Internet and have stored more at home, said the authority. The devices are often used for crime. The seller now threatens a fine of up to 50,000 euros.

The devices can interfere with radio areas such as GPS, WLAN, mobile communications or alarm systems. “There are bands of perpetrators who commit shoplifting with the help of GPS jammer by overcoming anti-theft devices,” warned the President of the Federal Network Agency Jochen Homann. Also, in the past year, more and more car locks have been manipulated and items stolen from vehicles.

The trading and operation of jammers is prohibited throughout Europe, the US and Japan. Anyone who wants to operate jamming devices to prevent cell phone use can also be prosecuted.