New Delhi: Cracking down on cyber fraud nationwide, the government directed telecom operators on Friday to block 28,200 mobile handsets implicated in cyber crimes. Additionally, 20 lakh mobile numbers associated with these handsets must undergo re-verification. Failure to re-verify will lead to disconnection of these numbers.
In a collaborative effort, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), and state police have joined forces to combat the misuse of telecom resources in cyber-crime and financial frauds. This move aims to dismantle networks of fraudsters and protect citizens from digital threats.
The Ministry of Communications issued an official statement, revealing that analysis conducted by the MHA and state police identified 28,200 mobile handsets misused in cyber crimes. It further noted that a staggering 20 lakh numbers were associated with these handsets. Subsequently, the DoT directed telecom service providers to block the 28,200 mobile handsets nationwide and to immediately re-verify the 20 lakh mobile connections linked to these handsets. Failing re-verification will result in disconnection.
This is not the first time the DoT has taken such actions. The government has been proactively combating cyber crimes for a significant period, following rampant cyber frauds across the country. The unified approach demonstrates a shared commitment to public safety, safeguarding the integrity of telecommunications infrastructure, and ensuring a secure digital environment.
A few months ago, the government launched the Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP) to facilitate coordination among stakeholders in combating the misuse of telecom resources in cyber-crime and financial frauds. The DIP provides stakeholders with secure connectivity and shares relevant information based on their respective roles. Notably, this platform is not accessible to citizens.
The ‘Citizen Financial Cyber Fraud Reporting and Management System’ was also established under the ‘Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre’ by the Ministry of Home Affairs to report financial fraud. As of February 6 this year, the Lok Sabha was informed that the government had blocked 3,20,000 SIM cards and 49,000 International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) numbers reported by the police. The Lok Sabha response stated that a total of 13 lakh cases of financial cyber fraud were reported in 2023.
