New Delhi: The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has warned citizens against fraudulent issuance and misuse of SIM cards after 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.
The action came to light during recent cybercrime investigations conducted by the DoT Madhya Pradesh Licensing Service Area (MP LSA).
Following the findings, the DoT and telecom service providers blacklisted the concerned PoS agent, preventing it from issuing new mobile connections. The 25 SIMs were examined through the department’s Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP), with suspicious numbers subjected to re-verification. Connections that failed the verification process were subsequently deactivated.
The DoT has now cautioned citizens that fraudulent issuance of SIM cards, misuse of telecom identifiers and tampering with International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) numbers can have serious legal consequences.
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 said.
Citizens warned against sharing SIM cards
The DoT has specifically advised people not to transfer, sell, rent or hand over SIM cards issued in their names to others.
The department warned that if a SIM registered in a person’s name is subsequently used for cyber fraud or another unlawful activity, the original subscriber may also face legal liability.
Citizens have also been advised against obtaining SIM cards using fake documents, fraud, cheating or impersonation, as well as using devices with tampered IMEI numbers.
The DoT has cautioned against the use of modems, modules, SIM Boxes or other equipment with configurable or tampered IMEIs. It has also warned against using applications, websites or other means to modify the Calling Line Identity (CLI) or other telecom identifiers.
DoT asks citizens to check SIMs issued in their name
The department has urged citizens to regularly check the mobile connections registered in their names through the Sanchar Saathi Portal and Mobile App.
The service allows users to view mobile numbers issued in their name and block numbers that are unnecessary or that they do not recognise.
Citizens can also use Sanchar Saathi’s “Check Genuineness of Your Mobile Handset” facility to verify the IMEI details of their devices, including the brand, model and manufacturer.
The DoT said these verification measures aim to prevent misuse of telecom resources in cyber fraud and strengthen the security of India’s telecommunications network.
