The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) Madhya Pradesh (MP) LSA has taken action against fraudulent SIM issuance after recent cybercrime investigations found that a Point of Sale (PoS) agent in Chhattisgarh had illegally activated 25 mobile connections (SIMs) using citizens’ identification documents without their knowledge or consent.
Following this, the DoT and Telecom Service Providers immediately blacklisted the concerned PoS, preventing it from issuing mobile connections in the future. The 25 mobile connections were examined on the DoT’s Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP), and those identified as suspicious were subjected to re-verification. Numbers that failed re-verification were subsequently deactivated.
DoT warns against SIM and telecom identifier misuse
The DoT has reiterated that 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 Rs.50 lakh.
The department said compliance with the Telecommunications Act, 2023 and the rules framed under it is essential for preventing telecom-related fraud, protecting citizens and maintaining a safe, secure and trusted telecommunications environment.
With the rapid expansion of mobile connectivity and digital services across India, misuse of SIM cards and telecommunication identifiers, including the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number of mobile devices, has emerged as a serious concern. Such misuse can compromise citizen safety and pose risks to the security and integrity of telecommunication networks. The Government of India has put in place legal provisions to prevent tampering with and misuse of unique telecommunication identifiers.
What citizens should avoid
The DoT advises citizens to refrain from:
- Using, procuring or assembling modems, modules, SIM Boxes or other equipment with configurable or tampered IMEIs.
- Procuring SIM cards through fake documents, fraud, cheating or impersonation.
- Transferring, selling or handing over SIM cards obtained in their name to others 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 name and subsequently loaning, renting or muling them for cyber fraud or other unlawful activities.
The DoT cautioned that these activities can have serious legal consequences. Legal liability may also extend to the original subscriber if a SIM issued in their name is found to have been misused.
Verify connections and devices through Sanchar Saathi
The Government has put in place measures to prevent misuse of telecommunication resources and strengthen the safety and security of India’s telecommunications ecosystem. Citizens can use the Sanchar Saathi initiative to verify and protect their mobile connections and devices.
Through the Sanchar Saathi Portal and Mobile App, citizens can:
- Check all mobile numbers issued in their name.
- Block mobile connections that are unnecessary or not genuinely theirs.
- Use the Check Genuineness of Your Mobile Handset facility to verify a handset’s IMEI details.
- Check information such as the associated brand name, model name and manufacturer.
The DoT has urged citizens to remain vigilant and use the digital tools available through Sanchar Saathi to verify and secure their mobile connections and handsets. Citizens can visit the Sanchar Saathi Portal at .sancharsaathi.gov.in or download the Sanchar Saathi Mobile App to access the available citizen-centric services.