AN EAST Lothian man has found the “most secure phone on the planet” tossed into a river while on a magnet fishing trip.
James Pearson, who uses a large magnet to trawl riverbeds and recover dumped items, discovered the phone in the River Esk in Musselburgh on Saturday.
The device, a CryptoData IMPulse K1 Gold, is a mobile phone sold for use by the public that comes fully encrypted and secured.
The device is billed by manufacturers CryptoData as “the phone that does not spy on you” and claims to offer absolute privacy to users.
The phone is further described as military grade, with the company going on to say: “Fully encrypted. Fully secured. Absolute privacy.
“Experience unparalleled privacy and versatility with our secure dual mode phone/smartphone.
“Seamless smooth transition between private and professional modes, all while keeping your sensitive data safe from cyber threats.
“Stay one step ahead of potential breaches with our cutting-edge security features.”
The mobiles are listed on the company’s US-based site for sale at the equivalent price of £287 but prices do vary, with James finding one for sale in the UK for a massive £550.
The device James found in the river was encased in a blocky transparent case and seemingly survived its bath in the Esk.
Whilst it’s unclear what data, images or files are on the mobile and why indeed it was discarded in the river, locals have urged James to hand the device to the police out of fear its contents may be incriminating.
While magnet fishing James has recovered all manner of items abandoned by others – having also recovered a scooter from the Esk alongside the phone.
Sharing his discovery to social media on Saturday James said: “An hour out on the Esk this afternoon – not many finds but an extremely interesting phone, seemingly the most secure phone on the planet, a CryptoData K1 Gold.”
His post has received over 60 likes and more than a dozen comments from social media users and locals urging him to hand the device over.
One wrote: “Oh aye if that phone powers up [the Criminal Investigation Department] will be knocking [at] your door.”
Another replied: “100% that phone is involved in crime.”
A third added: “Hope you find some Bitcoin.”
Another said: “Aye, I’d hand that in.”
A fight commented: “The drug lords of Musselburgh will be hiding now you’ve found that phone.”
Speaking today James said: “I was fishing off the footbridge at Shorthope Street in Musselburgh, it was about four feet out from the centre of the bridge.
“At the moment I am trying to dry it out [to] see if it will take a charge and power up. If it does, I will hand it in, if not it makes for an interesting find on my find shelves.”
James runs a community group called Musselburgh Magnet Fishing where he and others share their wacky finds with one another.
Magnet fishing is the process of trawling a magnet on a rope across the bed of a river or body of water to recover dumped metals.
