Rising Online Fraud Pushes DoT to Enforce Mandatory IMEI Registration for Stronger Mobile Security Nationwide

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has issued a new advisory making IMEI registration mandatory for all mobile phone manufacturers, brand owners, importers and sellers in India. This move aims to reduce the rising cases of online fraud, mobile spoofing and misuse of tampered IMEI numbers, which are becoming a major cybersecurity concern.

To track and control such risks, the government maintains a central IMEI database that records all fake, cloned or blacklisted numbers. Companies involved in buying or selling used smartphones must now check this database before completing any sale. They are also required to pay a small fee for IMEI verification to ensure the device is genuine and not linked to fraud.

According to the Telecom Act 2023 and Telecom Cybersecurity Amendment Rules 2024, all manufacturers must register each IMEI number with the government before the equipment is sold, tested, or used for research.This applies to both locally made and imported devices. The guidelines also empower the government to direct phone manufacturers to assist in detecting tampered devices when needed. They may additionally advise manufacturers not to reuse IMEI numbers that are already registered on Indian cellular networks.

The guidance further states that users are not permitted to remove or change the IMEI number of their phones. Devices that enable programmable IMEIs (a phone identity number that can be modified or altered, making the device easier to fraudulently use) are considered tampered, and their usage is illegal. This is part of a larger effort to improve mobile security, safeguard users from fraudulent activity, and boost India's cybersecurity ecosystem. Anyone who violates these guidelines will face serious consequences. Tampering with IMEI numbers can result in up to three years in jail, a ₹50 lakh fine, or both.

With mobile-related fraud increasing across the country, these new IMEI rules aim to improve user safety, ensure device authenticity and help the government curb illegal activities linked to mobile networks.These steps reinforce India’s commitment to stronger telecom security, device tracking and digital protection in a rapidly growing mobile economy.

Information referenced in this article is from The Economic Times