DoT Mumbai Cautions Citizens Against Fraudulent SIM Issuance, Misuse of Telecom Identifiers and IMEI Tampering

Ministry of Communications DoT Mumbai Cautions Citizens Against Fraudulent SIM Issuance, Misuse of Telecom Identifiers and IMEI Tampering Violations May Attract Up to 3 Years’ Imprisonment and Fine of Up to ₹50 Lakh Citizens Advised to Verify Mobile Connections and Handsets through Sanchar Saathi Portal and App

Posted On: 22 SEP 2026 6:56PM by PIB Mumbai

Mumbai : 22 September 2026 The Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Mumbai has cautioned citizens against obtaining SIM cards through fraudulent means, misuse of telecom identifiers and tampering with the IMEI numbers of mobile devices. Such violations may attract imprisonment of up to 3 years and a fine of up to ₹50 lakh under the Telecommunications Act, 2023.

The Department has advised citizens to regularly verify mobile connections issued in their name and use the Sanchar Saathi Portal and Mobile App to secure their mobile connections and handsets.

Action Taken in Chhattisgarh Case According to information received from DoT Mumbai, 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.

Following the incident, the concerned PoS agent was blacklisted. The 25 mobile connections were examined, and suspicious numbers were subjected to re- verification. Numbers that failed re-verification were subsequently deactivated.

What Citizens Should Avoid Not procure SIM cards using fake documents, fraud, cheating or impersonation.

Not share, transfer or hand over SIM cards issued in their name to others.

Not use devices with tampered IMEI numbers or configurable SIM Boxes.

Not modify Calling Line Identity (CLI) or other telecom identifiers through apps, websites or any other means.

Not lend or rent SIM cards for cyber fraud or any other unlawful activity.

Verify Mobile Connections through Sanchar SaathiCitizens can use the Sanchar Saathi Portal and Mobile App to check all mobile numbers issued in their name and block numbers that are unnecessary or not genuinely theirs.

The platform also enables citizens to verify the authenticity of their mobile handsets through the IMEI verification facility.

Citizens are advised to regularly monitor their mobile connections and report any suspicious activity immediately to their telecom service provider or the police. They should also keep identification documents such as Aadhaar or PAN ready for re- verification, wherever required.

Stay Alert, Stay Secure The Department of Telecommunications, Mumbai, has urged citizens to treat their SIM cards and IMEI numbers as important elements of their digital identity, verify them regularly, keep them secure and use telecom services only within the legal framework. Citizens are also advised to remain vigilant against misuse of their identity documents and promptly report any suspicious or unauthorised mobile connection to their telecom service provider or the concerned law-enforcement authorities.

The Sanchar Saathi Portal is available at www.sancharsaathi.gov.in.

PIB Mumbai | Nitin Fulluke / Priti Malandkar

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Read this release in: Marathi