Amid the rapid expansion of mobile and digital services, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has issued a strict warning to citizens against tampering with IMEI numbers, misusing telecommunication identifiers and obtaining SIM cards through fraudulent means.
The department said such practices can threaten the security of telecommunications networks and may also facilitate cyber fraud and other unlawful activities.
According to the DoT, tampering with telecommunication identifiers, including the IMEI number of a mobile device, is a punishable offence under the Telecommunications Act, 2023. Section 42(3)(c) of the Act prohibits tampering with telecommunication identifiers, while Section 42(3)(e) prohibits obtaining SIM cards or telecommunication identifiers through fraud, cheating or impersonation.
Violations can attract imprisonment of up to three years, a fine of up to ₹50 lakh, or both. Such offences are cognizable and non-bailable. The law also provides for similar punishment for those who abet or promote the commission of such offences.
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Handing Over a SIM Registered in Your Name Can Also Be Risky
The department has advised citizens against obtaining SIM cards using forged documents, fraud, cheating or another person’s identity. It has also warned users against transferring, selling, renting or handing over SIM cards registered in their names to other people.
If a SIM registered in a person’s name is subsequently used for cyber fraud or any other unlawful activity, the original subscriber could also face legal scrutiny. The DoT has therefore urged citizens not to lend or rent out SIM cards or allow others to use connections registered in their names.
The department has also advised citizens to avoid using, procuring or assembling modems, modules, SIM boxes and other equipment containing tampered or configurable IMEI numbers. Attempts to modify Calling Line Identity (CLI) or other telecommunication identifiers through mobile applications, websites or other means may also result in legal action.
Such Numbers Can Be Misused for Cyber Fraud
Renowned cybercrime expert and former IPS officer Prof. Triveni Singh said the security of SIM cards and telecommunication identifiers is an important part of preventing cybercrime. According to him, criminals can exploit mobile numbers and devices whose actual users are difficult to trace.
He said handing over a SIM registered in one’s name to another person, without knowing how it will be used, can create serious legal and investigative complications. A number used in a cybercrime investigation is typically traced through its subscriber details, device information, transaction records and communication links.
In cyber fraud investigations, agencies examine who obtained the SIM, who was actually using it and how the number was connected to other individuals, accounts or transactions. This makes the unauthorised transfer or misuse of mobile connections a significant risk for genuine subscribers.
Sanchar Saathi Can Help Verify IMEI Details
The Department of Telecommunications has encouraged citizens to use services available through the Sanchar Saathi initiative to verify and secure their mobile devices and connections. The platform allows users to check the IMEI number of a mobile handset and verify details associated with the device.
Users can check information such as the brand name, model and manufacturer linked to the handset. Verifying these details can help consumers identify discrepancies in a device’s identity information.
The department said preventing the misuse of telecommunications resources and strengthening the security of mobile networks requires both strict enforcement and public awareness. Citizens should avoid obtaining SIM cards through fraudulent documents or another person’s identity and should not allow their connections to be used by others without proper verification.
Consumers should also verify device-related information when purchasing a mobile handset, particularly when buying a second-hand device. A handset with a tampered IMEI can create technical as well as legal complications.
The government has urged citizens to comply with the Telecommunications Act, 2023 and the rules framed under it. The DoT said preventing IMEI tampering, fraudulent SIM procurement and misuse of telecommunication identifiers is essential not only for maintaining a secure telecommunications ecosystem but also for strengthening the fight against cybercrime.
What Should Mobile Users Do?
Mobile users should never lend or rent their SIM, avoid phones with tampered IMEIs, verify second-hand devices through Sanchar Saathi, and report suspected misuse immediately.
