Method and system for secret fingerprint scanning and reporting

A system comprising:

• a portable communication device (PCD) including (i) a network interface for engaging in network communication, (ii) a fingerprint scanner, (iii) a processor, and (iv) data storage containing program logic, wherein the fingerprint scanner is operable to scan a fingerprint of a user of the PCD, and wherein the program logic defines a fingerprint scan-report function that is executable by the processor automatically in response to the PCD receiving via the network interface a fingerprint scan-report trigger message (a) to cause the fingerprint scanner to scan the fingerprint of the user and (b) to transmit resulting fingerprint data via the network interface to a destination;
• and
• a network server at the destination, wherein the network server generates and transmits the fingerprint scan-report trigger message to the PCD in response to a report that the PCD has been lost or stolen,
• whereby the transmitted fingerprint data is useable by law enforcement or other personnel as a basis to try to identify the user whose fingerprint was scanned, and, in turn, as a basis to potentially recover the PCD that was reported lost or stolen,
• wherein the device does not provide to the user a notification of the fingerprint scanning, and the device does not provide to the user a notification of the transmitting.