Bulk SIM cards discontinued to curb frauds, police verification must for SIM card dealers: Ashwini Vaishnaw

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Thursday informed that the government has stopped the sale of bulk SIM cards and deactivated connections that were fraudulently obtained in order to curb fraudulent activities. The minister informed that since the launch of the Sanchar Sathi portal, the government has detected and deactivated 52 lakh connections that were fraudulently obtained, and added that several dealers who were engaged in selling mobile SIM cards have been blacklisted.

The minister said, "Since the launch of Sanchar Saathi portal, we have detected and deactivated 52 lakh connections which were fraudulently obtained. We have also blacklisted 67,000 dealers engaged in selling mobile SIM cards."

The minister further added that it will be mandatory for new SIM card dealers to undergo police and biometric verification, and going forward, registration will be compulsory for all point-of-sale dealers.

"Now, it will be mandatory for new dealers of mobile SIM cards to go through a police verification and biometric verification," he said, while addressing a press conference. 

VIDEO | "Now, it will be mandatory for new dealers (of mobile SIM cards) to go through a police verification and biometric verification. Registration will also be compulsory for all point-of-sale dealers now," says Union minister @AshwiniVaishnaw. pic.twitter.com/tmEMsnrQUk

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 17, 2023

To curb the menace of fraudulent calls, he stated that the government has decided to put an end to bulk SIM card sales and a new business connection provision will be announced as a replacement. 

"Earlier, people used to buy (mobile) SIM cards in bulk. However, it has been decided to end this provision. Instead, we will bring a proper business connection provision which will help in stopping fraudulent calls," he stated.

"Besides, KYC of businesses, KYC of person taking handover of SIM will also be done," Vaishnaw said.

Talking about other steps taken by the government to curb fraudulent activities, he said that 66,000 Whatsapp accounts have been blacklisted and 8 lakh payment accounts have been blocked. 

He also informed that 3 lakh cases of mobile phone thefts have been solved and the stolen handsets returned to the rightful owners.