With increasing telecom and online fraud in India, the Sanchar Saathi platform—developed by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT)—has become a crucial tool to protect users from identity misuse, fake SIMs, KYC scams, and mobile theft.

The app integrates CEIR (Central Equipment Identity Register) and TAFCOP, allowing users to:
• Report fraud
• Block stolen or lost phones
• Check all mobile numbers issued using their ID
• Report fake or unauthorised SIMs

Below is the simplified process.

What you can report on Sanchar Saathi
Users can report:
• Fake SIM cards issued using your ID
• Fraud calls, phishing calls, OTP scams
• KYC update scams
• Bank fraud through calls/SMS/WhatsApp
• Unknown numbers threatening or blackmailing
• Stolen or misused mobile phones
• Suspicious IMEI changes

How to report fraud on the Sanchar Saathi app: Step-by-step

1. Open the Sanchar Saathi app or visit the official website
   You will see multiple service modules including CEIR, TAFCOP, and Fraud Management.

2. Go to the “Fraud Management” section
   Here, click on Report Fraud.

3. Enter your details
   You will be asked to fill in:
   • Your mobile number
   • Aadhaar or other ID details
   • Details of the fraudulent call, message, or incident

4. Describe the fraud
   Provide the number that contacted you, how the fraud attempt happened, and attach any screenshots if available.

5. Submit your complaint
   After submission, a reference ID is generated.

6. Track your complaint
   You can check the status anytime using the reference ID. This avoids visiting a police station or telecom office for initial reporting.

What happens after you file a fraud report?
Once your complaint is submitted:

1. DoT’s monitoring team verifies the case
   They gather information from telecom operators in real-time.

2. Fake SIMs get blocked immediately
   If someone issued a SIM using your ID, it is deactivated.

3. Stolen phone IMEI gets blacklisted
   This prevents the device from being used across any Indian mobile network.

4. Cyber cell or local police may contact you
   They may request call logs, screenshots, or additional details.

5. Banks and financial institutions are alerted (in case of monetary fraud)
   If money is involved, the complaint is automatically escalated to the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) and state cyber police.

How money recovery works after fraud
Sanchar Saathi itself does not refund money. Instead, it helps authorities take action quickly by alerting banks and cyber police.

Here’s how recovery happens:

1. Once a fraud report is filed, the fraudster’s number or device is immediately flagged.

2. The bank receives an alert to freeze the suspicious account where the money was transferred.

3. If the money is still in the mule account, it is held and not allowed to be withdrawn.

4. Cyber police request transaction details and trace the fraudulent account.

5. Once confirmed as fraud, the bank refunds the victim as per RBI guidelines.

Important note:
• Recovery is not guaranteed 100%, especially if money has already been moved to foreign or layered accounts.
• Fast reporting significantly increases the chances of recovery.

Why Sanchar Saathi matters
• Helps block stolen devices instantly
• Prevents misuse of your identity
• Flags fake SIM cards issued using your documents
• Helps catch telecom fraudsters
• Provides technical data to police for faster investigations