Now tampering a mobile phone's IMEI is a punishable offence and can land the trickster up to 3 years of Jail. The new law has been imposed by Government agencies, the rule has been called as "Prevention of tampering of the Mobile Device Equipment Identification Number, Rules, 2017".

"It shall be unlawful, if a person, except the manufacturer –- intentionally removes, obliterates, changes, or alters unique Mobile Device Equipment Identification Number," the Department of Telecom mentioned in the circular issued to press and public. No person apart from the production company should acquire any illegal software to hack and change the IMEI number as per new law. The IMEI is useful in tracking and even if the SIM card is lost, the phone can be tracked with the help of this unique ID.

The telecom industry is also looking to frame a new system wherein even if the SIM is removed or the IMEI is changed the phone will still be traced, though early the telecom department is pushing a deadline to make this happen as per sources.