In a bid to counteract phone-related frauds, the government has decided to enforce compulsory biometric and police verifications for SIM card dealers. This strategic move is aimed at significantly reducing incidents of fraudulent activities involving phones.
Telecom minister Ashwini Vaishnaw highlighted the government's commitment to tackling spam calls and cyber frauds. During a press conference held in New Delhi, he announced the discontinuation of bulk SIM card sales. This measure is anticipated to contribute greatly to the prevention of various forms of fraudulent practices associated with phones.
"We have detected and deactivated 52 lakh fraudulent connections, and 67,000 dealers have been blacklisted. 300 FIRs have been registered. 17,000 mobile handsets have been blocked," says telecom minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.
"Through the SIM box, a lot of automated calls can be done. Fraudsters buy SIM cards in bulk and make fraudulent calls. After detailed study, we have decided that the bulk connection system will be discontinued and a system for proper business connections will be brought into place," explains Vaishnaw.
The Union minister emphasized that individual Know Your Customer (KYC) procedures will be made obligatory, particularly for business connections. To illustrate, if a company acquires 4,000 SIM cards, the KYC process will be required for each individual employee associated with those SIMs. This stringent approach aims to enhance accountability and security within the realm of SIM card distribution.
In cases of norm violations, dealers will face substantial penalties, with a fine of ₹10 lakh being imposed, as stated by Vaishnaw. Notably, the current count of SIM dealers stands at 10 lakh, and the minister assured that they will be afforded adequate time to complete the necessary police verification processes. This assurance underscores the government's commitment to facilitating a smooth transition while ensuring the compliance of SIM card dealers with the newly established regulations.
