India's DoT warns of jail and fines for IMEI tampering

IMEI tampering telecommunications law SIM card fraud Department of Telecommunications cyber security

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has issued a warning against tampering with International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) numbers and the misuse of telecommunication identifiers. Under the Telecommunications Act, 2023, such violations are punishable by up to three years of imprisonment, a fine of up to Rs 50 lakh, or both.

Specific prohibitions include tampering with identifiers under Section 42(3)(c) and obtaining SIM cards through fraud, cheating, or impersonation under Section 42(3)(e). The DoT noted that these offenses are cognizable and non-bailable. Additionally, individuals who abet or promote these activities may face the same penalties.

The advisory also cautions citizens against using equipment with configurable or tampered IMEI numbers, such as certain modems or SIM boxes. Furthermore, subscribers are warned that they may face legal liability if they allow SIM cards registered in their names to be used by others for cyber fraud or other unlawful activities.

Entities

Department of Telecommunications · India · Telecommunications Act, 2023

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 3 SOURCES] Tampering with IMEI numbers or using devices with unauthorized identifiers is a punishable offense under the Telecommunications Act, 2023. madhyamamonline.com · www.latestly.com · yespunjab.com
[● 2 SOURCES] Subscribers may face legal liability if they allow SIM cards registered in their name to be used for cyber fraud or unlawful activities. madhyamamonline.com · yespunjab.com
[● 3 SOURCES] Offenses under these provisions are classified as cognizable and non-bailable under Section 42(7) of the Act. madhyamamonline.com · www.latestly.com · yespunjab.com
[● 3 SOURCES] Violations can result in up to three years of imprisonment, a fine of up to Rs 50 lakh, or both. madhyamamonline.com · www.latestly.com · yespunjab.com
[● 3 SOURCES] Obtaining SIM cards or telecommunication identifiers through fraud, cheating, or impersonation is prohibited under Section 42(3)(e). madhyamamonline.com · www.latestly.com · yespunjab.com
[● 2 SOURCES] Individuals who abet or promote these offenses face the same legal punishments under Section 42(6). madhyamamonline.com · yespunjab.com