I work in Kuwait and my Samsung G600 was locked to my UK provider...Vodafone. I wanted to use my local sim in the phone............I emailed vodafone, asked if they could unlock it. Within the hour they mailed me back with the info required. It cost me £19.99 which they charged to my monthly account. Why mess about with the back street gangs when your provider can do it for probably less money and without the risk of damage to your phone.