Can the serial number and owner applied number of a stolen article be the same?

The assertion that the serial number and owner applied number of a stolen article cannot be the same is accurate because these identifiers serve different purposes. The serial number is a unique identifier assigned by the manufacturer, which helps in tracking and identifying the item within a larger inventory. It is distinct to that specific item and is not meant to change over time.

On the other hand, the owner applied number is designated by the owner and can be used for personal tracking or inventory purposes. This number may be created by the owner and does not have to follow the same format or standards as manufacturer-issued serial numbers. Since these two identifiers originate from different sources and serve different functions, they are intended to be unique from one another, leading to the conclusion that they cannot be the same.