365telugu.com online news,New Delhi, 24 November, 2025: The Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Government of India, has cautioned citizens against tampering with the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number of mobile devices or misusing any telecommunication identifiers, stating that such actions attract severe penalties including up to three years’ imprisonment, a fine of up to ₹50 lakh, or both.
In a public advisory issued today, DoT highlighted that offences related to IMEI tampering and fraudulent procurement of SIM cards are cognizable and non-bailable under the Telecommunications Act, 2023.
Key Offences and Penalties
- Tampering with or altering the IMEI number of any mobile handset or device
- Obtaining SIM cards or telecom identifiers through fraud, cheating, or impersonation
- Knowingly possessing or using devices (mobile phones, modems, SIM boxes, etc.) with tampered or configurable IMEI numbers
- Transferring SIM cards procured in one’s name to others who misuse them for cybercrime
All such acts are punishable with imprisonment of up to three years, a fine of up to ₹50 lakh, or both. Persons who abet or facilitate these offences face identical punishment.
The Telecommunications (Telecom Cyber Security) Rules, 2024 further prohibit manufacturing, importing, selling, or using any equipment that allows IMEI alteration.
DoT warned that citizens who procure SIM cards in their own name and later hand them over to fraudsters will also be treated as offenders if those SIMs are used in cybercrimes.
Citizens Urged to Use Sanchar Saathi for Safety
To protect themselves, citizens are advised to:
- Verify the authenticity of their handset’s IMEI using the Sanchar Saathi portal or mobile app
- Immediately report lost/stolen devices through the CEIR (Central Equipment Identity Register) module
- Avoid purchasing second-hand devices without verifying the IMEI status
Sanchar Saathi services are available at:
- Website: www.sancharsaathi.gov.in
- CEIR IMEI verification: https://ceir.sancharsaathi.gov.in
- Android App: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.dot.app.sancharsaathi
- iOS App: https://apps.apple.com/app/sancharsaathi/id6739700695
“DoT is committed to creating a safe and secure telecom ecosystem. Citizens must remain vigilant and refrain from any activity that compromises telecommunication identifiers,” the department stated.
The government has intensified monitoring and enforcement to curb the use of tampered devices and fraudulent SIMs that fuel cyber fraud, financial scams, and other criminal activities across the country.