Method and apparatus for automatically damaging circuitry of a mobile device when one or more conditions are detected

A mobile device is configured with electrical circuitry that causes the transmit channel electrical circuitry of the transmitter (Tx) of the mobile device to be electrically coupled to the receive channel electrical circuitry of the receiver (Rx) of the mobile device when one or more predetermined conditions occur. The electrical coupling of the transmit channel circuitry to the receive channel circuitry causes the Rx to be sufficiently damaged to render the mobile device nonoperational, thereby preventing further use of the mobile device. The one or more predetermined conditions correspond to conditions that indicate the mobile device has been lost or stolen and/or that an unauthorized user is attempting to use the mobile device in some manner.