Anyone who can hold of your phone's IMEI (e.g. from the network, from the packaging, or by getting access to your phone for a few seconds) can call a network op

Anyone who can hold of your phone's IMEI (e.g. from the network, from the packaging, or by getting access to your phone for a few seconds) can call a network operator and get it blacklisted. This doesn't lock it but does prevent calls and cell network connection. Although malicious state actors apparently can do much worse with the IMEI: https://www.businessinsider.com/saudi-arabia-imei-track-runaways-2019-5?r=US&IR=T https://www.businessinsider.com/saudi-arabia-imei-track-runa...