The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) Madhya Pradesh, India LSA has cautioned citizens against fraudulent SIM cards, misuse of telecom identifiers and tampering with IMEI numbers, warning that such violations can carry serious legal consequences under India’s Telecommunications Act, 2023.
The advisory follows recent cybercrime investigations that uncovered instances of unauthorized SIM activation. In one 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 discovery, the DoT and telecom service providers blacklisted the concerned PoS agent, preventing it from issuing mobile connections in the future.
DoT Investigates Fraudulent SIM Cards and Mobile Connections
The 25 mobile connections linked to the case were examined through the Digital Intelligence Platform, or DIP, operated by the DoT. Connections identified as suspicious were subjected to re-verification.
Numbers that failed the re-verification process were subsequently deactivated.
The action highlights concerns around SIM card fraud, particularly where mobile connections are obtained or activated using another person’s identity documents. The DoT has also cautioned citizens against transferring SIM cards registered in their names, as legal liability may extend to the original subscriber if the connection is later misused.
Telecommunications Act 2023 Sets 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 fines of up to ₹50 lakh.
The department has urged citizens to avoid obtaining SIM cards through fake documents, fraud, cheating or impersonation. It has also warned against procuring SIM cards in their own names and subsequently transferring, renting, loaning or otherwise providing them to others for misuse in cyber fraud or other unlawful activities.
Citizens have also been advised not to use devices such as modems, modules or SIM Boxes with configurable or tampered IMEI numbers.
IMEI Numbers and Telecom Identifiers Under Scrutiny
The DoT has highlighted the misuse of telecommunications identifiers, including the International Mobile Equipment Identity, or IMEI numbers, as a security concern.
Citizens have been cautioned against using mobile applications, websites or other methods to modify Calling Line Identity (CLI) or other telecommunications identifiers. The department has also warned against using devices with tampered IMEI numbers.
According to the advisory, misuse of SIMs and telecom identifiers can affect citizen safety and pose risks to the security and integrity of telecommunications networks.
Sanchar Saathi Enables SIM and Device Checks
The DoT has advised citizens to regularly use Sanchar Saathi to verify mobile connections issued in their names and block numbers that are unnecessary or not genuinely theirs.
The Sanchar Saathi platform also provides a facility called “Check Genuineness of Your Mobile handset,” which allows users to verify IMEI numbers and associated device information. The service can provide details including the handset’s brand name, model name and manufacturer information.
Citizens can access the Sanchar Saathi services through its portal or mobile application to check and secure their mobile connections and devices.
The DoT has urged citizens to remain vigilant and avoid sharing SIM cards registered in their names, particularly where the connection could later be used for cyber fraud or other unlawful activities.
