New Delhi | Amid a sharp rise in digital financial frauds and cyber-enabled crime across India, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has issued a strict nationwide advisory, making it clear that the accountability for a SIM card now lies entirely with the registered owner.
The advisory states that any SIM connection used for fraud, threats, impersonation, cybercrime, money laundering, VoIP masking or any unlawful activity will make the original subscriber equally responsible in the eyes of the law — irrespective of who was physically operating the SIM.
Algoritha Prepares You for Seamless DPDP Compliance — Contact Us for Complete Implementation Support
This move comes at a time when investigative agencies have detected massive illegal networks involving fake SIM cards, telecom spoofing tools, VoIP SIM boxes, and international numbers disguised as Indian mobile identifiers — all used in cyber frauds targeting individuals, businesses, and government agencies.
IMEI Tampering and Fake SIM Activation to Attract Severe Punishment
DoT has cautioned citizens against using mobile handsets or telecom modules that contain configurable or manipulated IMEI numbers, or devices altered using software tools to enable anonymous calling.
Under the Telecommunications Act, 2023, and the recently drafted Telecom Cyber Security Rules, 2024, the following are now categorized as punishable offenses:
- Devices with altered or duplicate IMEI
- Unregistered telecom modules or imported devices without legitimate IMEI certification
- SIM-box modems, VoIP tunneling devices, or systems designed to hide caller identity
- Software-driven virtual calling systems used to mask geographical origin
Violation may lead to imprisonment up to three years, a fine up to ₹50 lakh, or both.
Officials say these measures are critical to curb “untraceable cyber identities” used in scams such as investment frauds, fake customer support calls, loan app harassment, sextortion calls, and phishing attacks.
Sharing Your SIM Is Now a Legal Risk
The advisory highlights that many users casually provide SIM cards to:
- Drivers, delivery staff, domestic workers
- Agents, business partners, or family members
- Unknown individuals in exchange for incentives
In most cybercrime investigations, such SIM cards are traced to frauds linked with:
- Fake Aadhaar identities
- Unauthorized OTP-based banking access
- WhatsApp-based scams and loan app extortion networks
DoT has clarified that even if the owner argues that “the SIM was not used by me”, the liability will not be waived without verifiable legal proof.
Sanchar Saathi to Become Core Verification Platform
To improve traceability and transparency, the government has urged citizens to use the Sanchar Saathi portal and mobile app to verify:
- Number of active SIM cards linked to their Aadhaar
- Devices associated with a specific IMEI
- Lost or stolen phone blacklist status
Authorities claim the platform will help dismantle SIM fraud rings, cloned device networks, and identity misuse chains.
Cybersecurity Is Now Individual Responsibility: DoT
The advisory emphasizes that a mobile number today is not just a communication identifier — it is a gateway to digital payments, Aadhaar authentication, banking transactions, and sensitive OTP-based access.
Use of VPN-based calling, caller ID spoofing applications, illegal VoIP routing platforms, or systems that mask telecom origin has also been prohibited under new rules.
Expert View
Cybersecurity experts have welcomed the move, calling it a necessary step in India’s digital evolution.
“A large portion of scams succeed because SIM cards used for crime are untraceable. Enforcing accountability is critical to protecting citizens and the financial ecosystem,” said a national cybercrime advisor.
With these measures, the government is preparing the groundwork for a secure digital ecosystem, signalling that compliance will no longer be optional and misuse of telecom identity will now come with serious consequences.
