DoT Issues Warning on SIM Card Misuse Amid Fraud Concerns

The Department of Telecommunications has issued a stern warning regarding the misuse of SIM cards and telecom identifiers, emphasizing that violations can lead to significant penalties, including imprisonment. This advisory follows the discovery of a fraudulent SIM issuance scheme in Chhattisgarh, where identity documents were used without consent. The DoT has taken action against the implicated Point of Sale agent and is urging citizens to be vigilant. As digital services expand, the need for compliance with telecom regulations is more critical than ever to prevent cybercrime and protect the integrity of communication networks.

By Narendra Chaudhary Sep 21, 2026, 15:34 IST

Department of Telecommunications Alerts Citizens

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New Delhi, Sep 21: The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has issued a warning to the public regarding the improper use of SIM cards and telecom identifiers. They highlighted that violations of the Telecommunications Act, 2023 could result in imprisonment for up to three years and fines reaching Rs 50 lakh.

This advisory follows the discovery of a fraudulent SIM issuance scheme in Chhattisgarh, where mobile connections were activated using the identity documents of individuals without their consent.

The DoT reported that a Point of Sale (PoS) agent in the region was implicated in activating 25 SIM cards using the personal identification documents of citizens without their knowledge.

In response, the Department collaborated with telecom service providers to blacklist the PoS agent, effectively barring the outlet from issuing any further mobile connections.

According to the Ministry of Communications, recent investigations into cybercrime revealed that a PoS agent in Chhattisgarh had illegally activated 25 mobile connections using citizens’ identification documents without their awareness.

These 25 mobile numbers were analyzed through the Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP), a system created by the DoT to identify suspicious telecom activities. Connections flagged as potentially fraudulent underwent re-verification, and those that did not pass were deactivated.

In its public advisory, the DoT reiterated that the fraudulent issuance of SIM cards, misuse of telecom identifiers, and tampering with International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) numbers are serious violations under the Telecommunications Act, 2023.

The Department emphasized that such infractions could lead to a prison sentence of up to three years and financial penalties that may reach Rs 50 lakh.

This advisory comes at a time when there are increasing concerns about the misuse of telecom resources in cybercrime, digital fraud, and other illegal activities.

As mobile connectivity and digital services grow rapidly across the nation, authorities stress the importance of adhering to telecom regulations to safeguard citizens and uphold the integrity of communication networks.