The Department of Telecommunications (DoT), in collaboration with telecom service providers (TSPs), has introduced an advanced system designed to identify and block incoming international spoofed calls before they can reach Indian telecom subscribers. This system is being deployed in two phases, first, at the TSP level, to prevent calls spoofed with phone numbers of their own subscribers and second, at a central level, to stop calls spoofed with the numbers of subscribers from other TSPs.
As of now, all four TSPs have successfully implemented the system. About one third of total spoofed calls at 4.5 million spoofed calls are being stopped from entering the Indian telecom network. The next phase, involving a centralised system that will eliminate the remaining spoofed calls across all TSPs, is expected to be commissioned shortly.
Fraudsters, however, continue to adapt and devise new methods to deceive the public. DoT is taking timely measures to protect telecom users as these new ways are reported. In the age of rapidly evolving technology, the DoT has taken multiple measures to make the telecom eco-systems safer and secure. However, even with these robust safeguards, there may still be instances where fraudsters succeed through other means.
In such cases, DoT encourages citizens to proactively report suspected fraud communications to help DoT in identification and prevention of misuse of telecom resources for cyber-crime, financial frauds. It will also help in safeguarding citizens from impersonation, exploitation, and enabling proactive action against potential threats.
Citizen can report such calls at Chakshu facility available on the Sanchar Saathi platform providing details about suspected fraud calls, SMS, and WhatsApp messages including screenshot, medium of receipt, category of intended fraud, date and time of receiving such communication. An OTP based verification will be carried out.
In addition, the Government has taken various measures for preventing misuse of telecom resources including:
- Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has rolled out Digital Intelligence Unit (DIU) project with objective to devise systems to curb misuse of telecom resources for cybercrime and financial frauds.
- Sanchar Saathi portal: DoT has developed a citizen centric Sanchar Saathi portal (www.sancharsaathi.gov.in) providing various facilities for reporting of cases related to misuse of telecom resources.
iii. Digital Intelligence Platform: DoT has launched an online secure Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP) for sharing of information related to misuse of telecom resources among the stakeholders for prevention of cyber-crime and financial frauds.
- DoT using AI based tools has identified the mobile connections taken on fake / forged documents or taken exceeding the prescribed limits for an individual. Such mobile connections along with telecom resources and mobile handsets used in fraudulent activities are being weeded out from the telecom ecosystem.
Following are some of the outcomes, as on date in brief, of the actions taken by DoT:
- Disconnected 17.7 million mobile connections taken on fake/forged documents.
- Targeted action of disconnection of 3.348 million mobile connections and blocking of 49,930 mobile handsets used by cyber criminals in cyber-crime hotspots/districts of the country.
- 7.761 million mobile connections exceeding the prescribed limits for an individual have been disconnected.
- Pan India blocking of 0.229 million mobile phones involved in cyber-crime or fraudulent activities.
