Beware of Fake Smartphone During the Festive Season: Here’s How to Stay Safe
The festive season in India is synonymous with celebrations, lights, and — of course — exciting discounts on electronics, especially smartphones. Every year, leading brands and e-commerce platforms announce massive sales with irresistible offers that attract millions of buyers.
However, along with genuine deals, counterfeit and fake mobile phones also flood the market during this time. Over the past few years, a rising number of users have fallen victim to these scams — purchasing refurbished, used, or entirely fake phones disguised as new.
This article will help you understand how counterfeit smartphones reach the market, how to identify them, and how you can verify your mobile’s authenticity using official government tools like the Sanchar saathi portal.
Table of Contents
Why Counterfeit Phones Increase During Festivals
During festivals like Diwali, Dussehra, and Navratri, online and offline retailers see a surge in smartphone sales. Companies process millions of orders daily, offering massive discounts that encourage impulse buying.
Unfortunately, such high demand creates an opportunity for fraudsters and third-party sellers to push counterfeit or tampered phones into the supply chain.
Here’s why counterfeit phones become common during festive sales:
Heavy order volume: Quality control becomes challenging when companies are shipping millions of devices.
Third-party sellers: Some unauthorized sellers mix fake or refurbished phones with genuine stock.
Identical packaging: Counterfeiters now replicate official boxes, seals, and even warranty cards.
Customer rush: Buyers often overlook minor inconsistencies in packaging or specifications when purchasing under time-limited discounts.
What Makes Counterfeit Phones Dangerous
While fake smartphones may look identical to the originals, the similarities end there. Inside, these devices are made from cheap, low-quality components and often lack critical security features.
Here are some common problems users face after unknowingly purchasing a counterfeit device:
Poor performance – Fake phones tend to lag, overheat, and crash frequently due to substandard hardware.
Battery drain and heating – Inferior batteries can overheat and even pose a fire hazard.
No software updates – These phones never receive official updates, leaving them vulnerable to cyber threats.
Security risks – Many counterfeit phones have malicious software preinstalled that can send your photos, messages, and even banking passwords to unauthorized servers.
No warranty or service support – Once identified as fake, you can’t claim any warranty or support from the brand.
Essentially, a counterfeit phone doesn’t just waste your money — it also puts your personal data and safety at risk.
How to Verify If Your Smartphone Is Genuine
Thankfully, you can easily verify the authenticity of your smartphone using the Government of India’s official Sancharsaathi portal. This tool allows citizens to check the IMEI number of any mobile device and confirm whether it’s legitimate or blacklisted.
Here’s how you can check your smartphone’s authenticity:
Step 1: Visit the Sancharsaathi Portal
Go to https://www.sancharsaathi.gov.in/
Step 2: Select Citizen-Centric Services
On the homepage, click on the “Citizen-Centric Services” section.
Step 3: Choose Mobile/IMEI Verification
Select the option for Mobile or IMEI Verification.
Step 4: Verify Your Mobile Number
Enter the captcha code and your mobile number, then verify it through the OTP you receive.
Step 5: Enter IMEI Number
Now, enter your 15-digit IMEI number (found on your phone’s box or by dialing *#06# on your device).
Step 6: Get Instant Results
Click Submit, and within seconds, the portal will display:
Brand name
Model
Manufacturer details
IMEI status (original, duplicate, or blacklisted)
This quick check can save you from losing thousands of rupees and protect your personal data from being compromised.
How to Check IMEI Without Internet
If you don’t have internet access, you can still check your phone’s authenticity through SMS verification.
Simply send an SMS to 14422 with the message:
Within a few seconds, you’ll receive an SMS response confirming the details of your mobile phone.
This feature ensures that anyone — even without a smartphone or internet connection — can confirm whether their device is genuine.
Check Your Phone’s Hardware Details
Another effective way to identify fake or tampered smartphones is by inspecting their hardware specifications.
You can install trusted apps like:
CPU-Z
AIDA64
These apps display detailed information about your phone’s processor, RAM, GPU, sensors, and battery. You can then compare this data with the official specifications on the manufacturer’s website.
If you notice differences — for instance, the model shows a MediaTek processor when the original brand uses Qualcomm — that’s a clear sign of a counterfeit device.
Warning Signs That Your Smartphone Might Be Fake
Be alert for these tell-tale signs that your smartphone might not be genuine:
Suspiciously low price – If the deal seems too good to be true, it probably is.
Packaging inconsistencies – Misspelled brand names, poor-quality printing, or irregular seals.
Inconsistent performance – Overheating, lagging, or frequent app crashes.
Different software UI – Icons, settings, or app layouts look unusual compared to the official brand interface.
Camera and display quality issues – Poor camera performance or screen resolution mismatched with specifications.
If you suspect your phone might be fake, immediately verify its IMEI number through the Sancharsaathi portal.
Where Should You Buy Smartphones From?
To minimize the risk of counterfeit or refurbished devices, always purchase from verified sources.
Here’s where you can safely buy new smartphones:
Official brand websites (e.g., Samsung, Xiaomi, Realme, OnePlus, Apple)
Trusted e-commerce portals (Amazon, Flipkart, Croma, etc.) — make sure the seller is “Fulfilled by” or “Verified”
Authorized offline retailers or brand stores in your city
Avoid deals from unknown websites, random social media pages, or unofficial resellers, no matter how attractive the offer seems.
Pro Tip: Check Before You Unbox
When receiving your smartphone — whether from an online delivery or a store — take these precautions before activating it:
Inspect the box seal for tampering.
Match the IMEI number on the box and the phone’s “About” section.
Take an unboxing video in case you need proof for refunds or complaints.
Power on the phone and confirm the software version and storage capacity.
These simple steps can save you from a major financial and security headache later.
Final Thoughts
During the festive season, smartphone deals are everywhere, but not all of them are safe. Counterfeit phones continue to be a major problem, costing innocent consumers their money and privacy.
Before hitting that “Buy Now” button, always double-check:
The seller’s authenticity,
The IMEI verification on the Sancharsaathi portal, and
Hardware specs using reliable apps like CPU-Z or AIDA64.
Remember, saving a few thousand rupees on a deal isn’t worth risking your personal data or financial security. Stay alert, stay informed, and make every purchase a genuine one.
Quick Safety Checklist
| Step | Action | Tool/Platform |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Find IMEI number | Dial *#06# |
| 2 | Verify authenticity | Sancharsaathi.gov.in |
| 3 | Check hardware details | CPU-Z or AIDA64 |
| 4 | Verify seller | Official website or verified portal |
| 5 | Avoid too-good deals | Compare with market prices |
Pro Tip: Always register your device warranty online with the manufacturer after purchase. It helps confirm authenticity and ensures future service support.