The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has issued a warning to mobile users against lending, selling or transferring SIM cards registered in their names, saying they could face legal consequences if the numbers are later used for illegal activities. The department also cautioned against fraudulent SIM issuance, misuse of telecom identifiers and tampering with mobile device IMEI numbers.
The warning comes amid cybercrime investigations that uncovered the illegal activation of 25 mobile connections in Chhattisgarh. According to the DoT, a Point of Sale (PoS) agent had activated the connections using identity documents belonging to citizens without obtaining their knowledge or consent.Following the investigation, the DoT’s Madhya Pradesh Licensed Service Area (LSA) and telecom operators blacklisted the agent, preventing further issuance of mobile connections. The 25 numbers were also analysed through the department’s Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP), after which suspicious connections were sent for re-verification. Numbers that failed the verification process were deactivated.
The department said fraudulent issuance of SIM cards, misuse of telecom identifiers and manipulation of IMEI numbers are offences under the Telecommunications Act, 2023. Those found violating the provisions can face imprisonment of up to three years and fines of up to ₹50 lakh.
The DoT has urged subscribers to check which mobile numbers are registered in their names and report or block connections they do not recognise. These services are available through the Sanchar Saathi portal and its mobile application.The department also warned against purchasing SIM cards with fake documents or through impersonation, and against handing over SIMs registered in one’s name to another person. It said individuals who obtain SIM cards in their own names and then lend, rent or “mule” them for cyber fraud or other unlawful activities could also face legal liability.
Citizens have further been advised to stay away from devices such as modems, modules and SIM boxes containing configurable or tampered IMEI numbers.Users can verify the authenticity of their mobile handsets through the “Check Genuineness of Your Mobile Handset” facility on Sanchar Saathi, which provides information including the device’s brand, model and manufacturer.
The DoT has urged citizens to regularly review their mobile connections and verify their handsets to prevent their identities and telecom numbers from being misused in cybercrime.