SIM Swap and Duplicate SIM Fraud by SMS

How it looks by SMS, the red flags and what to do.

A text message is the cheapest way for a scammer to reach thousands of phones at once, and the sender name can look like a bank, a courier or a government office. SIM Swap and Duplicate SIM Fraud is one of the ways this shows up: Fraudsters get a duplicate SIM for your number, take your OTPs and empty accounts. Sudden loss of signal can be the first sign. Learn the steps.

What sim swap and duplicate sim fraud looks like by SMS

• A very short message with a deadline such as "today" or "within 24 hours".
• A shortened or oddly spelled link that does not match the real website.
• A request to call a number, install an app or share an OTP.

The scammer first collects enough about you to pass a SIM replacement request: your name, date of birth, address and Aadhaar details, bought, leaked or tricked out of you. They also learn which bank you use. Sometimes a caller poses as the operator and asks you to press a key or share a code to 'approve an upgrade', which actually approves the replacement.

Red flags to check on the text message

• Your phone loses network for hours while others work.
• A caller asks you to reply with a code to approve an upgrade.
• You get an unexpected message about a SIM replacement.
• Bank alerts stop arriving or arrive on other channels only.
• The message asks for an OTP, PIN, card number or password.
• It threatens blocking, arrest, disconnection or a fine unless you act at once.

What to do

1. If you lose network suddenly, use wifi to contact the operator through its official app or the number on your bill.
2. Ask your bank, through its official app on another device, to lock net banking and UPI.
3. Never approve a SIM change by replying to a message from a caller.
4. Paste the text into a scam checker (Safeavio Sentinel can check it) before you do anything else.
5. Report the sender on the Sanchar Saathi portal (Chakshu facility) and block the number.
6. Delete the message and tell family members who may get the same text.

You can report suspicious SMS and calls on the Sanchar Saathi portal (Chakshu facility) of the Department of Telecommunications.

If money or a code is already gone

1. Call 1930 right away and tell them the loss and the times.
2. Contact your bank through the number on your card to block accounts and cards.
3. Ask the operator to block the duplicate SIM and restore yours.
4. File a complaint on cybercrime.gov.in and change email and banking passwords.

National Cyber Crime Helpline: 1930; report at cybercrime.gov.in.

Safeavio Sentinel's anti-theft feature includes a SIM-change alert, so if the SIM in your phone changes you can be told. The scam check reads a pasted message or call note and flags requests to approve an upgrade or share a code. It cannot detect a swap done on the network side, and it does not replace calling your operator and bank, which is what restores your number.

Full guide: SIM Swap and Duplicate SIM Fraud: how it works, signs and what to do. Other channels: phone call, fake app.

Questions