India’s Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has issued a formal warning regarding the misuse of telecom resources, outlining severe penalties for violations under the Telecommunication Act, 2023. The announcement, made on March 4, 2025, addresses various forms of telecommunications fraud and manipulation, building upon the country’s comprehensive security measures implemented in 2024.
The DoT has identified several methods that criminals use to exploit telecom resources. These include acquiring SIM cards through fraudulent means, obtaining SIM cards using fake documentation, and modifying telecommunication identifiers such as Calling Line Identity (CLI), IP addresses, IMEI numbers, and SMS headers. The warning follows India’s recent efforts to combat SIM card-based scams that have resulted in substantial financial losses.
Under Section 42(3)(c) of the Telecommunication Act, 2023, the tampering of telecommunication identifiers is explicitly prohibited. Additionally, Section 42(3)(e) forbids obtaining subscriber identity modules or other telecommunication identifiers through fraud, cheating, or impersonation. The regulations support the DoT’s recent directive requiring social media platforms to remove caller ID spoofing tools.
Violations of these provisions carry significant penalties, including imprisonment for up to three years, fines of up to Rs 50 lakh (approximately USD 60,000), or both. The same penalties apply to individuals who aid or abet such offenses under Section 42(6) of the Act.
The Ministry of Communications has noted instances where individuals procure SIM cards in their own names but transfer them to others who subsequently misuse them for cyber fraud. In such cases, the original user may also be held liable as an offender. The policy supports the government’s Sanchar Saathi initiative, which provides digital tools for citizens to verify and secure their mobile connections.
To address these issues, the DoT has implemented various preventive measures, including advanced technological solutions and new regulatory initiatives designed to combat cybercrime and financial fraud within the telecommunications sector. The measures include the Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR) system for tracking stolen devices and the Header Information Portal to verify legitimate SMS senders.
The warning represents part of the Indian government’s broader efforts to strengthen telecommunications security and maintain the integrity of the nation’s communications infrastructure, complementing existing initiatives such as mandatory KYC verification and the integration of digital identity systems.
Sources: Zee Business, e2india, Medianama
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