DoT directs suspension 24,229 mobile connections linked to 42 fraudulent IMEIs

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The Department of Telecommunication (DoT) on July 12 cracked down on fraudsters misusing mobile numbers to carry out cybercrime and other fraudulent activities.

The telecom department analysed three mobile numbers that were flagged on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), and found a total 42 unique IMEI and 24,229 mobile connections that were engaged in fraudulent activities.

Accordingly, the DoT issued directions to telecom service providers to carry out pan-India IEMI based blocking of all the 42 IMEIs and immediately suspend the 24,229 mobile connections that were found to be linked with these 42 IMEIs.

Notably, one of the IMEIs was found to be used by 4,146 mobile connections.

Earlier in May, the DoT had identified approximately 6.80 lakh mobile connections suspected to have been obtained using invalid, non-existent, or fake/forged Proof of Identity (PoI) and Proof of Address (PoA) KYC documents. It had issued directives to TSPs to carry out immediate re-verification of these mobile numbers within 60 days.

Also read: Tampering with mobile phones IMEI number may land you in jail

Meanwhile, the government is expected to launch a technology solution next month to enable detection of lost or stolen mobile phones that are operating in the country. The tracking system would make the detection of stolen mobile phones possible even if the SIM card is removed or unique code IMEI number is changed. The Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DoT) is ready with the technology and the service is expected to be launched in August.

The Department of Telecom (DoT) had assigned the mobile phone tracking project "Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR)" aimed at bringing down counterfeit cellphones and discouraging theft to C-DoT in July 2017.