Considering India’s drive toward digital advancement, the Government is making security against fraud and theft for mobile users a top priority. For this reason, the DoT offers CEIR and TAFCOP which everyone can use and follow, under regulations. People using Sanchar Saathi can now use features to find a lost phone, check their device and stop mobile number fraud.

This section explains the way CEIR and TAFCOP differ and what parts they play in safeguarding Indian users of telecommunications

CEIR Full Form and What is CEIR?

The name CEIR refers to the Central Equipment Identity Register. All mobile devices operated in India are listed in the database by their IMEI numbers (International Mobile Equipment Identity).

What Makes Up CEIR and How It Functions?

The DoT created CEIR as a digital watchdog to monitor mobile devices. With their IMEI number, users can either prevent or identify their lost or stolen phones. An IMEI code is a 15-digit number given to every mobile device. When a report of theft or loss is received, the IMEI of the phone is blocked by the CEIR portal for all telecom networks, preventing the phone from working with any SIM card.

The initiative deals with important challenges such as:

• Stolen mobile phones 📱
• The act of reselling stolen or fake mobile products ⚠️
• The usage of devices on the exclusion list 📋

CEIR teams up with both cops and telecom service providers to increase success in locating the lost devices. According to the official website (ceir.gov.in), about 32 lakh phones have been blocked and 20 lakh have been traced using the CEIR process by May 2025.

How to Block a Stolen Phone on CEIR

Users can get lots of help by using CEIR to protect their stolen phone. Here's how:

1. Visit: https://www.ceir.gov.in 🔗
2. Go to the option called "Mobile/SIM Card" on the menu.
3. Write down your IMEI number, put in the details of your mobile, and submit a photocopy of the FIR or 👮 police complaint.
4. Make the request and keep the reference ID handy to inspect it again later
5. The phone can be unblocked and set up after it is located.

CEIR IMEI Tracking in India

India’s experience with CEIR IMEI Tracking: Users can use IMEI tracking to confirm the status of their phone and see if it’s likely to be blacklisted, if it’s a duplicate or if it has been activated. You’ll need to check this when buying a used device.

How to view your device’s status:

1. Visit: https://www.ceir.gov.in 🔗
2. Your IMEI is revealed by dialing *#06#.
3. You can also use the Know Your Mobile (KYM) feature with SMS or through the CEIR website.
4. To find your phone’s status, text KYM + your IMEI to 14422.

What is TAFCOP and How Does It Work?

The name TAFCOP is a short form for Telecom Analytics for Fraud Management and Consumer Protection. People can check how many numbers are registered to their Aadhaar and raise a complaint about any unrecognized numbers.

Mobile fraud, mainly SIM cloning and identity theft, led to the formation of TAFCOP. SIM cards released to a user can be controlled in TAFCOP, allowing the user to turn off any that are not needed.

• Not required
• They could not find it.
• Fraudulently registered

When TAFCOP began, it was only used in select states, but it is now available across India thanks to Sanchar Saathi.

TAFCOP Mobile Registration Process

This is how you can use TAFCOP:

1. Visit: https://tafcop.sancharsaathi.gov.in 🔗
2. Fill in your mobile number and ask for an OTP.
3. Once you verify, all mobile numbers connected to your Aadhaar will show on the portal.

If any numbers appear to be strange, choose from these possible actions:

• Not my number.
• Not required
• Required

If you believe in a scam, request a removal by placing a report. And You’ll get a Ticket ID Ref No. for you to follow the progress of your complaint.

TAFCOP Mobile Fraud Protection Features

1. Notifies users whose phone has more than nine active mobile connections.
2. You can block any SIM that is unwanted or unapproved.
3. Monitors and manages every one of your telecom connections through a single identity.
4. Helps spot instances where Aadhaar is used improperly in getting SIM cards.
5. Citizens can better manage their private data, which makes it less likely for fraudsters to exploit it.

Differences Between CEIR and TAFCOP

Feature	CEIR	TAFCOP
Full Form	Central Equipment Identity Register	Telecom Analytics for Fraud Management & Consumer Protection
Focus Area	Mobile device theft & tracking	SIM card & telecom fraud prevention
Key Functionality	Block/trace phone via IMEI	Manage mobile numbers linked to Aadhaar
User Target	Phone owners	SIM card subscribers
Data Used	IMEI number	Mobile number & Aadhaar
Portal	ceir.gov.in	tafcop.sancharsaathi.gov.in
Police FIR Required?	Yes (for stolen device)	No

TAFCOP Fraud Management System

TAFCOP is important for fighting fraud since it:

1. ✅ Allowing verification of mobile connections as they happen.
2. 🔍 Finding SIMs that are extra or established without proper authorization to an Aadhaar.
3. 🚫 Blocking the use of fake identities in telecom application forms.

With scams targeting mobile users on the increase, TAFCOP provides openness and encourages citizens to act right away.

Government Plans and Technological Results

In 2023, the DoT set aside ₹220 crore to upgrade the digital intelligence units CEIR and TAFCOP. The plan is to bring all telecom safety tools together on Sanchar Saathi, so that access is easier and public awareness rises.

Conclusion

CEIR and TAFCOP are designed to defend Indians against mobile fraud. Even though CEIR is concerned with missing devices and IMEI tracking, TAFCOP helps with watching Aadhaar-connected SIMs. The combination of these allows for streamlined national telecom fraud management.

If you want to stop a stolen phone from being used or discover unknown mobile phones linked to you, such platforms can do so securely, efficiently, and in a transparent way.

Stay informed. Stay secure.

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