India’s Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has issued a nationwide red alert on the growing misuse of IMEI numbers — and the message is clear: tampering with identifiers is no longer a small offence. Under the Telecommunications Act 2023, even unknowingly using a phone with a fake or cloned IMEI can land you in jail for 3 years, attract a fine of up to Rs 50 lakh, or both.
With cybercrime spreading faster than ever and smartphones becoming universal, the government is tightening the net around illegal devices, fraudulent SIMs and cloned mobile identities.
Why This Advisory Matters Now
India is battling a surge in cyber fraud — from loan scams to OTP theft to SIM swapping. In nearly every crime, investigators trace activity through the IMEI number, the unique identity of a phone. But criminals are now using:
●cloned IMEIs
●tampered identifiers
●fake documents to obtain SIMs
●modems & SIM boxes with configurable IDs
This makes criminals untraceable — and innocent buyers of such devices vulnerable to serious legal trouble.
The DoT has finally stated what many users don’t know:
Even if you had no criminal intent, using a phone with an altered IMEI is a punishable offence.
What the New Telecom Law Says
Under Section 42 of the Telecommunications Act:
●Illegal Acts
●Tampering with an IMEI
●Using a device with altered IMEI
●Taking SIMs via fake IDs or impersonation
●Possessing modems, SIM boxes or devices with changeable identifiers
●Helping, promoting or ignoring such acts
Punishment
●Imprisonment up to 3 years
●Fine up to Rs 50 lakh
●Non-bailable & cognizable offences
The Cyber Security Rules 2024 also ban apps or websites that modify caller information or IMEI codes.
Things You MUST Avoid Immediately
The government has warned citizens against:
●Buying phones from shady online sellers or grey markets
●Purchasing extremely cheap “refurbished” phones without verification
●Sharing your SIM card with anyone
●Using devices with suspicious or duplicate IMEI numbers
●Using tools, software, apps that can spoof or mask identity
●Uploading fake documents for SIM cards
Even giving your SIM “temporarily to a friend” can be dangerous — if they misuse it, YOU will be held accountable.
Stay Safe: Check Your Phone on Sanchar Saathi
The Ministry is urging all users to verify their devices through the Sanchar Saathi portal or mobile app.
You can:
●Check IMEI authenticity
●See device model, brand & manufacturer status
●Verify if the phone is lost, stolen or blacklisted
●Report fraud / suspicious activity
●Secure or block your mobile connection
This is India’s strongest digital shield against telecom fraud so far.
Why IMEI Integrity Is So Critical
Every mobile has a unique identification code. When criminals change or clone this:
●They hide their digital footprints
●They bypass law enforcement tracking
●They commit fraud anonymously
●They use stolen phones freely
●They carry out scams using “ghost devices”
This weakens national cyber security — which is why penalties have become stricter and surveillance tighter.
A Needed Crackdown Amid Rising Cybercrime
The government’s advisory comes as India faces a spike in:
●WhatsApp scam calls
●Fake OTP calls
●UPI and KYC fraud
●International SIM fraud
●SIM box trafficking
Experts say cloned IMEIs are at the root of 60% of major cyber fraud cases.
The DoT wants citizens to understand:
Knowing or unknowingly using a fake-IMEI device carries the same legal risk.
