By: Alia Kashmiri
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has warned citizens against the misuse of SIM cards, telecom identifiers and identity documents, saying such violations can lead to serious legal consequences.
Under the Telecommunications Act, 2023, fraudulent issuance of SIM cards, misuse of telecom identifiers and tampering with IMEI numbers can attract up to three years in prison, a fine of up to ₹50 lakh, or both. Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
25 SIM Cards Activated Without Citizens’ Knowledge
The warning follows a case uncovered during a recent cybercrime investigation in Chhattisgarh.
According to the DoT, a Point of Sale (PoS) agent had illegally activated 25 mobile connections using identity documents belonging to citizens without their knowledge or consent.
Following the discovery, the DoT and telecom service providers blacklisted the concerned PoS agent, preventing the agent from issuing further mobile connections.
The 25 mobile connections were then examined through the department’s Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP). Suspicious numbers were subjected to re-verification, while connections that failed the verification process were deactivated.
What Does the Law Say?
The DoT has highlighted several activities that can attract legal action under the Telecommunications Act, 2023.
These include:
- Obtaining a SIM through fraud: Getting a SIM card using fake documents, fraud, cheating or impersonation.
- Misusing a SIM registered in your name: Allowing another person to use a SIM issued in your name can create legal risks if it is used for fraudulent activities.
- Tampering with telecom identifiers: Changing or manipulating identifiers such as the IMEI or other telecom identification details.
- Helping someone commit such an offence: The law also provides punishment for people who abet offences covered by the Act.
Check How Many SIMs Are Registered in Your Name
The government has advised citizens to regularly check the mobile connections registered against their identity through the Sanchar Saathi portal or mobile app.
The service allows users to view mobile connections registered in their name and report connections that they do not recognise or no longer require.
The Sanchar Saathi platform also provides services for reporting suspected fraud communications, blocking lost or stolen mobile handsets and checking the genuineness of mobile devices.
Citizens should therefore keep their identity documents and SIM cards secure and report any unauthorised mobile connection registered in their name.
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