Russia introduces punishment for selling SIM cards to migrants without IMEI

Russia has enacted a new federal law that introduces criminal penalties for the sale of SIM cards to foreign citizens and stateless persons without proper identification. The legislation, which came into effect recently, specifically targets the practice of selling SIM cards to migrants without including the mobile phone's International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) code or providing deliberately false information in the contract.

Vyacheslav Volodin, the head of the State Duma, explained that this measure is part of a broader effort to combat cyber fraud. Sellers found in violation of these new requirements face significant consequences, including fines of up to 500,000 rubles (approximately $5,500 USD) or imprisonment for up to one year. This initiative is linked to the "Antifraud 2.0" program, which involves creating a database of IMEI codes to help identify and disrupt illegal activities involving mobile devices and SIM cards.

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Criminal liability is introduced for violating a number of legislative requirements when concluding a contract for communication services with a foreign citizen or a stateless person.

Previously, Russia had already implemented measures to regulate mobile number registration for migrants, limiting them to a maximum of 10 numbers per person starting in 2025. The authorities report a decrease in telephone fraud incidents, with a 39.1% reduction in the first half of 2026 compared to the same period in the previous year. The new law is expected to further bolster these efforts by increasing accountability in the sale of telecommunication services to vulnerable populations, thereby enhancing national security and reducing opportunities for criminal exploitation.

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This will allow for the prompt identification of SIM cards, SIM boxes, and phones involved in illegal activities and, as a consequence, to suppress them.