Fake SIM Card Documents: Up to 3 Years Jail and ₹50 Lakh Fine

The Central Government has warned that obtaining a SIM card using fake or fraudulent documents can result in up to three years of imprisonment and a fine of up to ₹50 lakh.

The warning comes after a SIM card sales agent in Chhattisgarh allegedly used identity documents belonging to members of the public without their permission to obtain 25 SIM cards illegally. The agent was subsequently blacklisted and barred from selling SIM cards.

Following the incident, the Department of Telecommunications issued an important warning regarding the misuse of identity documents for obtaining mobile connections. According to the warning cited in the report, such violations can attract penalties under the Telecommunications Act, 2023.

The Department of Telecommunications has also advised people to regularly check the mobile connections registered in their names. The official Sanchar Saathi platform allows users to view mobile connections issued in their name and report connections that they do not recognize.

Checking registered mobile numbers can help people identify unauthorized connections and take appropriate action if a number has been obtained using their identity details.