DoT is implementing a new system to block fake international calls

While around 4.5 million fraudulent calls were blocked in the first phase, the second phase is expected to begin soon

DoT has disconnected 1.77 Lakh mobile connections obtained through fake documents and blocked 33.48 Lakh connections used by cyber criminals

Additionally, nearly 11 Lakh bank accounts linked to fake calls have been frozen and 71,000 SIM agents have been blacklisted

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is planning to launch the second phase of a centralized system to block international spoofed calls soon.

Fake calls are fake international calls that appear to be coming from Indian mobile numbers. According to the Department of Transportation, the system is designed to reduce the growing number of incidents involving false threats of cell disconnection and arrests, and impersonation of government officials.

The system implementation was divided into two stages. The first phase, already carried out by all four major telecommunications service providers (TSPs), focuses on preventing spoofing of calls to subscriber numbers of the same telecom operator.

So far, about a third of the estimated 4.5 million fraudulent calls entering India’s telecommunications network have been blocked in the first phase. The second phase will expand efforts to eliminate fraudulent calls across all payment service providers and is expected to launch soon.

To further combat these threats, the DoT has introduced several initiatives. One of them is the Digital Intelligence Unit (DIU), which aims to reduce the misuse of telecommunications resources for cybercrime and financial fraud.

Additionally, DoT has developed Sanchara Saathi Portalwhich serves as a citizen-centric platform enabling users to report suspected fraudulent messages and junk messages, report stolen or lost phones, verify the authenticity of mobile devices before purchase, and report incoming international calls to Indian numbers.

Additionally, the Department of Affairs has launched the Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP), a secure online platform that facilitates real-time information exchange among stakeholders such as telecom operators, law enforcement agencies and banks to prevent misuse of telecommunications services.

The Defense Department also said it has disconnected 1.77 Cr mobile connections acquired using fake documents. It also took targeted action including blocking 33.48 Lakh connections and 49,930 phones used by cyber criminals.

It also traced 12.02 lakh of the 21.03 lakh reported stolen mobile phones and blocked 2.29 lakh devices linked to cybercriminal activities.

Moreover, around 11 Lakh bank accounts linked to fake calls have been frozen and 71,000 SIM agents have been blacklisted and 365 FIRs have been registered in various states.

Last month, it was reported that the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) and DoT collectively disconnected via mobile connections 1 Cr to check for pesky callers and scammers.

TRAI is said to be considering making it mandatory to display name on incoming calls. However, encountered delays due to technical problems to implement the plan.