New Delhi: The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has issued a strong caution against the misuse of telecom resources, warning individuals and entities against tampering or spoofing telecommunication identifiers such as mobile numbers, IP addresses, IMEI numbers and SMS headers.
The move comes as part of DoT’s ongoing efforts to curb cybercrime and financial fraud.
Stringent Penalties Under Telecommunications Act, 2023
With the enactment of the Telecommunications Act, 2023, the government has introduced stringent penalties for offenders engaged in telecom fraud. The Act criminalizes the unauthorized acquisition and misuse of Subscriber Identity Modules (SIM cards) and other telecom identifiers.
Section 42(3)(c) explicitly prohibits the tampering of telecommunication identifiers, while Section 42(3)(e) bars the procurement of telecom resources through fraud, impersonation, or deceit.
Violators of these provisions face severe consequences, including imprisonment of up to three years, fines reaching Rs 50 lakh, or both.
Furthermore, Section 42(6) of the Act extends the same punishment to individuals who abet such offenses. Importantly, these offenses are classified as cognizable and non-bailable under Section 42(7), underscoring the gravity of such violations.
Growing Concerns Over Telecom Fraud
DoT has observed multiple instances where fraudsters have exploited telecom resources to engage in cybercrimes. Some individuals acquire SIM cards under their names and later transfer them to others, often unknowingly becoming complicit in fraudulent activities.
There have also been cases of Point of Sale (PoS) agents facilitating such illicit procurements by using fake documents, an act that qualifies as aiding and abetting under the law.
Another alarming trend involves the modification of telecom identifiers such as Calling Line Identity (CLI) through mobile applications, enabling fraudsters to mask their identity while engaging in illicit activities.
Similarly, IP addresses, IMEI numbers, and SMS headers have been manipulated to send deceptive messages, adding another layer of complexity to digital fraud.
While speaking with APAC, Sanjeev Sharma, Deputy Director General of the AI & Digital Intelligence Unit (AI&DIU), DoT stated:
“A recent initiative implemented by the DoT has proven to be highly successful and is among the first of its kind globally. The system addresses the issue of fraudulent calls originating from outside India, where cybercriminals often spoof CLI to make their calls appear as if they are coming from Indian numbers. These fraudsters often impersonate officials from TRAI, DoT, Income Tax, or Enforcement Directorate to deceive citizens.”
DoT’s Commitment to a Secure Telecom Ecosystem
In response to these threats, DoT is actively implementing advanced technological solutions and policy measures to ensure a secure telecom environment for citizens. By leveraging AI-driven fraud detection mechanisms and stricter verification protocols, the department aims to deter malicious actors and enhance public trust in the country’s telecom infrastructure.
DoT has urged all telecom users to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities related to telecom fraud. Citizens are advised not to share or transfer their SIM cards to unknown individuals and to verify the authenticity of messages and calls before engaging with them.
Sanchar Saathi is another initiative by the DoT to identify and combat fraudulent calls, as well as empower citizens. DoT’s Sharma, during a previous conversation, also stated the role Sanchar Saathi has been playing to tackle cyber frauds.
He explained that the portal and the app collect reports, which we analyze using the digital intelligence platform. This system is backed by over 540 organizations, including law enforcement agencies, state police, financial institutions, telecom service providers, and private entities like WhatsApp.
The data is processed using AI and big data analytics, identifying telecom resources being misused, leading to actions like re-verification, revocation, or disconnection of flagged numbers.
With the Telecommunications Act, 2023 serving as a robust legal framework, DoT remains steadfast in its mission to combat telecom fraud, safeguard consumer interests, and uphold the integrity of India’s digital communications landscape.
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