The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has cautioned citizens against fraudulent issuance of SIM cards, misuse of telecommunication identifiers and tampering with International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) numbers, warning that such violations can attract imprisonment of up to three years and fines of up to ₹50 lakh under the Telecommunications Act, 2023.
The advisory follows recent cybercrime investigations conducted by the DoT Madhya Pradesh Licensed Service Area (MP LSA), which uncovered instances of fraudulent SIM issuance.
In one such case, a Point of Sale (PoS) agent in Chhattisgarh was found to have illegally activated 25 mobile connections using citizens’ identification documents without their knowledge or consent.
Following the investigation, the DoT and telecom service providers blacklisted the concerned PoS agent, preventing it from issuing mobile connections in the future. The 25 mobile connections were examined through the DoT’s Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP). Numbers identified as suspicious were subjected to re-verification, and those that failed the verification process were subsequently deactivated.
Fraudulent telecom activities can attract stringent penalties
The DoT said fraudulent issuance of SIM cards, misuse of telecom identifiers and tampering with IMEI numbers are punishable offences under the Telecommunications Act, 2023.
Such violations may attract imprisonment of up to three years and a fine of up to ₹50 lakh.
The department emphasised that compliance with the Telecommunications Act and the rules framed under it is essential to prevent telecom-related fraud, protect citizens and maintain a safe, secure and trusted telecommunications environment.
With the rapid expansion of mobile connectivity and digital services, the misuse of SIM cards and telecom identifiers, including the IMEI numbers of mobile devices, has emerged as a serious concern. Such misuse can compromise citizen safety and pose risks to the security and integrity of telecommunications networks.
Citizens advised not to share SIM cards issued in their name
The DoT has advised citizens not to share or transfer SIM cards issued in their names. It cautioned that legal liability may extend to the original subscriber if a SIM registered in their name is subsequently used for unlawful activities.
Citizens have been advised to regularly verify the mobile connections issued in their names through the Sanchar Saathi Portal and Mobile App. The platform allows users to check all mobile numbers registered in their names and block numbers that are unnecessary or that they do not recognise.
The department said such verification can help prevent telecom resources from being misused for cyber fraud and other unlawful activities.
What citizens should avoid
The DoT has advised citizens to refrain from the following activities:
* Using, procuring or assembling devices such as modems, modules, SIM Boxes or other equipment with configurable or tampered IMEI numbers.
* Procuring SIM cards using fake documents, fraud, cheating or impersonation.
* Transferring, selling or handing over SIM cards obtained in their names to other persons who may misuse them.
* Using mobile applications, websites or other means to modify Calling Line Identity (CLI) or other telecommunication identifiers.
* Procuring SIM cards in their own names and subsequently loaning, renting or using them as SIMs for cyber fraud or other unlawful activities.
* Using devices with tampered IMEI numbers or obtaining SIM cards through fraudulent means.
The DoT warned that transferring SIM cards to persons who subsequently misuse them can have serious legal consequences for the original subscriber.
Sanchar Saathi enables verification of mobile connections and handsets
The Government has introduced various services under the Sanchar Saathi initiative to help citizens verify and secure their mobile connections and devices.
Through the platform, citizens can check the mobile numbers issued in their names and take action against connections that they do not require or do not recognise.
The platform also provides a facility to verify the genuineness of a mobile handset through its IMEI number. The “Check Genuineness of Your Mobile Handset” service enables users to obtain information such as the brand name, model name and manufacturer associated with the device.
The DoT has urged citizens to remain vigilant and make use of the digital tools available through Sanchar Saathi to protect their mobile connections and handsets.
Citizens can access the Sanchar Saathi services through Sanchar Saathi Portal or Sanchar Saathi Mobile App, which is available for both Android and iOS devices.
