Sanchar Saathi Awareness

DoT Combats Cyber-Frauds: New System to Block Spoofed Calls

The growing menace of cyber-frauds continues to pose significant challenges to Indian citizens, with many receiving fraudulent calls that appear to come from Indian mobile numbers but are manipulated by criminals operating from abroad. These spoofed calls, using technology to mask the true origin of the number, have been causing significant concerns, leading to incidents involving threats of mobile number disconnection, fake digital arrests, and even impersonations of government officials and law enforcement agencies. In some cases, these fraudsters have falsely accused individuals of being involved in drug trafficking, sex rackets, and other criminal activities.

To counter this threat, the Ministry of Communications, through the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), has launched a new initiative to reduce the number of spoofed calls reaching Indian telecom subscribers. In collaboration with Telecom Service Providers (TSPs), the DoT is set to commission an advanced system to identify and block these fraudulent calls before they can cause harm.

How the New System Works

The initiative will be implemented in two phases. Initially, the system will work at the level of individual Telecom Service Providers (TSPs), preventing calls spoofed with phone numbers belonging to their subscribers. In the second phase, a central system will be set up to identify and block spoofed calls that appear to come from other TSPs.

As of October 2024, all four significant TSPs in India have successfully implemented the first phase of the system, which has already proven effective in blocking nearly one-third of the total spoofed calls. On average, a staggering 45 lakh (4.5 million) spoofed international calls are blocked daily, helping reduce the fraud risks for telecom users nationwide. The second phase of the system, which aims to eliminate the remaining spoofed calls across all telecom networks, is expected to be commissioned soon.

The Role of Citizens in Combating Fraud

Despite these advancements, fraudsters continue to adapt and devise new methods to deceive the public. To further combat this issue, the DoT has called on citizens to report any suspected fraudulent communications they receive actively. This can include calls, SMS, or WhatsApp messages that seem suspicious or appear to be an attempt at fraud. Reporting these incidents helps the DoT identify patterns of misuse and take prompt action to block fraudulent activities.

Reporting Through Chakshu

To assist in this effort, the DoT has introduced the Chakshu facility on the Sanchar Saathi platform (available at [sancharsaathi.gov.in](https://sancharsaathi.gov.in/)). Citizens can use this platform to report suspected fraud calls, SMS, or WhatsApp messages by providing the following details:

The date and time of receiving the communication
The medium of receipt (call, SMS, WhatsApp, etc.)
A screenshot or any evidence of the communication
The category of the intended fraud (e.g., financial fraud, impersonation, etc.)

Once the report is submitted, an OTP-based verification process will ensure the authenticity of the information provided.

Strengthening Telecom Security

This initiative is part of a broader effort by the DoT to make the telecom ecosystem safer and more secure in the face of rapidly evolving technology and increasing cyber threats. While the new systems and measures offer significant protection, citizens must remain vigilant and proactive. By reporting fraud attempts promptly, they can help safeguard themselves and others from becoming victims of these increasingly sophisticated cyber crimes.