Stories
Using SIM Cards in Others' Names: 3 Years Prison, 50 Lakh Fine!
- •Using SIM cards registered in others' names can lead to serious legal consequences, as they are linked to bank accounts and UPI.
- •The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) warned in September 2026 that fraudulently obtaining SIM cards is a legal offense.
- •Under Section 42(3)(e) of the Telecommunication Act, 2023, this offense carries up to 3 years in jail and a fine of up to 50 lakh rupees.
- •Check mobile connections issued in your name using the Sanchar Saathi portal/app and report any unknown numbers immediately.
- •Section 42(6) also penalizes those who assist, encourage, or conspire in such crimes, making misuse of identity costly.
Key Questions Answered
Under Section 42(3)(e) of the Telecommunication Act, 2023, fraudulently obtaining a SIM card or using another person's name can lead to up to three years in prison, a fine of up to 50 lakh rupees, or a two-year sentence, though 50 lakh is the maximum fine and not mandatory in every case.
The Department of Telecommunications advises citizens to periodically check the mobile connections issued in their name using the Sanchar Saathi portal and app, allowing them to report any unknown or unauthorized numbers immediately.
The strict advisory followed cybercrime investigations which revealed that a point-of-sale agent in Chhattisgarh had illegally activated 25 mobile connections using citizens' identity documents without their knowledge or consent.
