The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has initiated targeted actions to protect citizens in response to reports of fraudulent activities involving mobile numbers in electricity know your customer (KYC) update scams.
As per DoT, vigilant and alert citizens have been proactive in reporting of suspected fraud communications via Chakshu-report suspected fraud communications facility on the Sanchar Saathi portal of DoT. This helps DoT in combating and preventing cybercrimes and financial frauds. In addition, citizens have reported some cases of fraudsters using SMS and WhatsApp messages related to electric KYC updates and malicious android application package (APK) files to manipulate and gain control over victims’ devices.
Further, DoT has utilised the Chakshu portal for reporting and analysing fraudulent activities, initially identifying five suspect numbers. The portal’s artificial intelligence (AI)-driven analysis revealed that 392 handsets linked to 31,740 mobile numbers were involved in such fraudulent activities. Furthermore, DoT has directed all telecom service providers (TSPs) for pan India international mobile equipment identity (IMEI) based blocking of 392 mobile handsets misused in cybercrime and financial frauds. It has also directed them for re-verification of 31,740 mobile connections linked to these mobile handsets. Failure in re-verification will result in immediate disconnection of reported numbers and blocking of associated handsets.
This initiative underscores DoT’s commitment to enhancing the security of telecommunications networks and safeguarding citizens from digital frauds.
