A new law has emerged in uae. All the shops that sell phones are forced to have a scanner.
Any phone been sold out is recorded on a software with the persons id scanned and the phones imei
sent to the police database. The police also have access to all the telecoms database.

Incase of a missing phone simply call the police, tell them your name or imei or id card number
and they will check who picked the phone, where he lives and where he is at the moment. wonderful.

leaving the airport with any used or new phone is also an issue now. the police will check the imei
and be sure it was bought legitimatly.

buying a simcard in uae is as difficult as taking a loan in Nigeria
your id and finger print (new law)
If you insert your sim in any stolen phone you are on your own.

Source: Eye withness