Lost or stolen mobile phone in India — what to do first: police lost report or e-FIR (BNS 303 / 304, old IPC 379), duplicate SIM, block the IMEI on Sanchar Saathi / CEIR, protect UPI and bank accounts, and unblock when found (2026)
Plain step-by-step map for anyone whose phone was lost, stolen or snatched: the first things to do to protect money and accounts; when a simple lost report is enough and when to ask for an FIR for theft or snatching; getting a duplicate SIM; blocking the phone’s IMEI through the Department of Telecommunications’ Sanchar Saathi / CEIR portal so it cannot be used on Indian networks; unblocking it if it is recovered; checking a second-hand phone before buying; and what to do if money was taken from your account. Educational only — not legal advice; Adhiwakta does not file police reports or blocking requests.
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First 30 minutes — protect money and accounts
(1) Call your mobile operator’s customer care from another phone and ask them to block the SIM, so nobody can receive your OTPs. (2) Call your bank’s helpline or use net banking on another device to block UPI, mobile banking and cards linked to that number. (3) If money has already gone out, report it at once on the national cybercrime helpline 1930 or cybercrime.gov.in — speed matters for freezing the money trail. (4) Use the phone maker’s find-my-device service (Google Find My Device, Apple Find My) to lock the phone or erase it remotely. (5) Change passwords for your email, social media and payment apps, and warn family and contacts that someone may misuse your number or chats.
Lost or stolen? Which police report you need
If the phone was simply lost, many State police forces give an online lost-article report (for example the Delhi Police Lost & Found portal / app and the Mumbai Police Lost / Found portal); this is a record of loss, not an investigation. If it was stolen or snatched, that is a cognizable offence — theft under Section 303 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (old IPC 379) or snatching under Section 304 BNS (a separate offence since 1 July 2024) — and you can ask for an FIR under Section 173 BNSS (old CrPC 154). Several State police portals accept an e-FIR for theft; an e-FIR must be signed by you within three days (Section 173(1)(ii) BNSS). If the police refuse to register an FIR for theft, you can write to the Superintendent of Police (Section 173(4)) or apply to the Magistrate (Section 175(3)). Keep the report or FIR number and a copy — you need it for blocking, the duplicate SIM and any insurance claim.
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Write in Hindi or English · general guidance, not legal advice
Get a duplicate SIM for the same number
Visit your operator’s store with identity proof (and, if asked, the police report) to get a replacement SIM for the same number. The CEIR portal notes that, under TRAI rules, SMS on a re-issued SIM starts only after 24 hours — and the blocking request needs an OTP on this number, so plan for that wait.
Block the IMEI on Sanchar Saathi / CEIR
Go to sancharsaathi.gov.in, ceir.gov.in or the Sanchar Saathi app and choose ‘Block Stolen / Lost Mobile’. Keep ready: the IMEI number(s) (printed on the box or bill, or noted earlier with *#06#), the mobile number(s), make and model, date and place of loss, police station and complaint number, a copy of the police report, your identity proof and, optionally, the purchase invoice. An OTP is sent to your number (the duplicate SIM). Save the Request ID shown at the end — you need it to check status and to unblock later. Once blocked, the phone cannot be used on Indian mobile networks, and if someone tries, the system generates alerts for the police. The portal does not show you the phone’s live location.
If the phone is found
First inform the police station that the phone has been recovered. Then use ‘Un-Block Found Mobile’ on the same portal with the Request ID, the mobile number for OTP and the reason. If the block was placed through the police, the unblocking request may have to go through that police station.
Buying a second-hand phone — check before you pay
Check the IMEI first: send an SMS ‘KYM <15-digit IMEI>’ to 14422, or use the ‘Know Genuineness of Your Mobile Handset’ option on Sanchar Saathi. Do not buy if it shows blacklisted, duplicate or already in use. Knowingly receiving or keeping stolen property is an offence (Section 317 BNS, old IPC 411), and tampering with an IMEI or other telecom identifier is punishable under Section 42(3)(c) of the Telecommunications Act, 2023 with imprisonment up to three years, fine up to ₹50 lakh, or both. Ask for a bill and the seller’s ID.
If money was taken from your account
Report the unauthorised transactions to your bank in writing immediately and keep the acknowledgement. Under the RBI’s 2017 customer-protection rules for unauthorised electronic banking transactions, how quickly you report affects how much of the loss you may have to bear — prompt reporting gives the strongest protection. If the bank does not resolve your complaint, you can approach the RBI Ombudsman. Also check ‘Know Mobile Connections in Your Name’ on Sanchar Saathi in case a SIM was misused, and report suspected fraud calls or messages through the Chakshu option there.
Insurance and work phones
Phone insurance and many company policies usually ask for the FIR or police report, proof of IMEI blocking and the purchase invoice, often within a short time — read your policy. For an office phone, inform your employer’s IT team so that work email and data can be wiped.
What this guide is not
It does not promise that the phone will be traced or returned, or that lost money will be recovered. Portals, forms and State police procedures change — follow the current instructions on sancharsaathi.gov.in and your State police website.
How Adhiwakta can help
We do not file police reports, FIRs or blocking requests, contact the police, operators or banks, or track phones. Adhiwakta is a facilitation platform, not a law firm. We do not file cases, appear before any authority, or promise any result. Use Ask Adhiwakta to describe your situation for general guidance from an independent advocate, or start with the AI helper to organise your facts and papers. Educational only — not formal legal advice.
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Frequently asked questions
- How do I block my lost or stolen mobile phone in India?
- File a police report (lost report or FIR), get a duplicate SIM for your number, then use ‘Block Stolen / Lost Mobile’ on sancharsaathi.gov.in, ceir.gov.in or the Sanchar Saathi app with the IMEI, police complaint details, report copy and ID proof. Save the Request ID.
- Is an FIR needed to block a phone on CEIR?
- The portal asks for a police complaint — an FIR or a lost report — with its number and a copy. For theft or snatching ask for an FIR (BNS 303 / 304); for a simple loss many State police portals give an online lost report.
- Can CEIR show me where my phone is?
- No. Blocking stops the phone working on Indian networks, and if it is used the system alerts the police. It does not show you the live location.
- How do I unblock my phone after it is found?
- Tell the police station that it is recovered, then choose ‘Un-Block Found Mobile’ on the portal with your Request ID and OTP. If the police placed the block, unblocking may go through that police station.
- How can I check if a second-hand phone is stolen?
- Send ‘KYM <15-digit IMEI>’ by SMS to 14422 or use the Know Genuineness option on Sanchar Saathi. Do not buy a phone showing as blacklisted, duplicate or already in use.
- My phone was stolen and money was taken from UPI — what now?
- Block the SIM and banking at once, report on 1930 or cybercrime.gov.in, and give the bank a written complaint. Quick reporting gives you the best protection under RBI’s customer-liability rules; if the bank does not resolve it, approach the RBI Ombudsman.
- Does Adhiwakta block phones or file police reports?
- No. Adhiwakta does not file reports or blocking requests or contact police, operators or banks. Use Ask Adhiwakta or the AI helper for general educational guidance only.
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