Sanchar Saathi Portal Launched To Track

Sanchar Saathi portal launched track block lost phones

As expected, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has developed a citizen-centric portal called Sanchar Saathi in a significant step toward protecting mobile phone users.

The goal of this portal is to provide users with the tools they need to ensure the safety and security of their mobile phones. Today, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister of Communications, Railways, and Electronics and IT, launched the Sanchar Saathi portal.

Key features provided by Sanchar Saathi include the ability to check registered connections, report fraudulent or unnecessary connections, block lost or stolen mobile devices, and verify the authenticity of IMEI numbers prior to making a mobile phone purchase.

Key Features of Sanchar Saathi Portal

CEIR

The Centralized Equipment Identity Register (CEIR) is a critical component of Sanchar Saathi. If a mobile device is lost or stolen, users can submit the IMEI numbers and a copy of the police report through the portal. The information submitted is verified and shared with Telecom Service Providers and Law Enforcement Agencies.

Once validated, the system prevents stolen mobile phones from being used on Indian networks, and law enforcement agencies can track down any attempts to use the stolen device. When a stolen device is recovered, the user can use the Sanchar Saathi portal to unlock it.

This comprehensive system not only prevents the use of stolen or lost mobile phones on Indian networks, but it also prevents the use of devices with incorrect or forged IMEIs.

Know Your Mobile

Another essential feature of Sanchar Saathi is the “Know Your Mobile” feature, which allows users to verify the authenticity of the IMEI numbers of their mobile devices. By utilizing this feature, individuals can confirm the authenticity of their mobile phones and avoid using cloned or counterfeit devices unknowingly.

ASTR

To combat the issue of fraudulent or forged documents used to obtain mobile connections, the DoT has developed ASTR (Artificial Intelligence and Facial Recognition powered Solution for Telecom SIM Subscriber Verification). ASTR uses facial recognition techniques and data analytics to identify SIMs issued with forged or fraudulent documents.

ASTR analyzed over 87 crore mobile connections in the initial phase using paper-based KYC documents. The results were astounding, with over 40.87 lakh suspected mobile connections discovered. 36.61 lakh connections have already been disconnected, with the remaining cases still being investigated.

In addition to disconnecting fraudulent connections, the DoT has blacklisted over 40,000 Points of Sale (PoS) involved in selling such mobile connections, and numerous FIRs have been filed across the country.

The information on disconnected numbers has been shared with banks, payment wallets, and social media platforms in order to disconnect these numbers from associated accounts.

How to use the Sanchar Saathi portal to track and block your lost or stolen phone?

• Visit the Sanchar Saathi portal’s CEIR section
• Choose the “Block Stolen/Lost Mobile” option.
• Enter your name, mobile number, IMEI number, and device details.
• Upload the purchase invoice of the phone.
• Provide details about the city, district, state, and the date when you lost your device.
• Verify your details using the mobile number OTP.
• Click on the submit button.

Note: Do create an account on the portal by clicking register/login options

How to check validity of your mobile device before purchasing it?

You can check the validity of your mobile device even before purchasing it by using the “Know Your Mobile” feature. The IMEI number is printed on the mobile packaging box. It is also present on the mobile bill/invoice. You can also check the IMEI number on your phone by dialing *#06#; the IMEI number will be displayed on your phone’s screen.

If the status of the phone is Black-listed, duplicate, or already in use, please do not purchase it. KYM can be used in any of the three ways listed below.

• SMS: Type KYM <15-digit IMEI number> from your mobile and send the SMS to 14422.
• Via Application: Download the KYM app from Play Store (for Android) or from App Store (for iOS).
• Web portal: Use the web portal