The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has issued an advisory warning citizens against the misuse of SIM cards and telecom identifiers. The department said violations under the Telecommunications Act, 2023 can result in imprisonment of up to three years and a fine of up to ₹50 lakh.
The warning comes after authorities uncovered a fraudulent SIM issuance racket in Chhattisgarh, where mobile connections were activated using citizens’ identity documents without their knowledge or consent.
25 SIM Cards Activated Using Citizens’ Documents
According to the DoT, a Point of Sale (PoS) agent in Chhattisgarh was found to have activated 25 SIM cards using identification documents belonging to citizens without obtaining their knowledge or consent.
Following the detection, the Department worked with telecom service providers to take action against the agent. The PoS outlet was blacklisted and permanently barred from issuing mobile connections in the future.
The Ministry of Communications said the case came to light during recent cybercrime investigations into the unauthorised activation of mobile connections.
DoT Uses Digital Intelligence Platform to Check Numbers
The 25 mobile numbers linked to the case were examined through the Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP), developed by the DoT to identify suspicious telecom activity.
Connections considered potentially fraudulent were subjected to re-verification. Mobile numbers that failed the verification process were subsequently deactivated.
The action highlights the role of telecom monitoring systems in identifying connections that may be linked to unauthorised or suspicious activity.
SIM Fraud and IMEI Tampering Can Lead to Penalties
In its advisory, the DoT said fraudulent issuance of SIM cards, misuse of telecom identifiers and tampering with International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) numbers are serious offences under the Telecommunications Act, 2023.
According to the department, violations can attract imprisonment of up to three years, while financial penalties can extend to ₹50 lakh.
The advisory has been issued amid concerns over the use of telecom resources in cybercrime, digital fraud and other unlawful activities. With mobile and digital services expanding across the country, authorities have stressed compliance with telecom regulations to help protect citizens and maintain the security of communication networks.
Disclaimer
The information in this article is based on the details provided by the Department of Telecommunications and is intended for general awareness. Legal provisions, penalties and regulatory requirements may be subject to applicable laws and official updates. Readers should refer to official government notifications or seek qualified legal guidance for matters involving specific cases.