Such spoofed calls have been used in various scams, including fake digital arrests, FedEx frauds, narcotics in courier schemes, and impersonation of government and police officials.
To combat this growing threat, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) in India have developed a system to identify and block incoming international spoofed calls.
This initiative aims to prevent such calls from reaching any Indian telecom subscriber. The Ministry of Communications announced that TSPs have been directed to block these calls and are already taking steps to prevent calls with spoofed Indian landline numbers.
In addition to this, the DoT has launched the Sanchar Saathi portal, a citizen-centric platform designed to enhance user safety and security amid the rising threat of fraud and international call scams. This portal includes a feature called "Chakshu," which allows individuals to report suspicious calls and messages.
Chakshu simplifies the process of flagging fraudulent communications, providing an extra layer of protection against cybercriminals.
Chakshu serves as a backend repository for citizen-initiated requests on the Sanchar Saathi platform, facilitating real-time intelligence sharing among various stakeholders. The platform also provides information on cases where telecom resources have been misused, helping to coordinate actions among stakeholders.
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has highlighted additional measures, including creating a grievance redressal platform for reporting unintended disconnections and a mechanism for returning money frozen due to fraud. These efforts aim to address the concerns of citizens who may have been inadvertently affected by the anti-fraud measures.
Since its launch in May last year, the Sanchar Saathi portal has been instrumental in enhancing the security of telecom users. It has helped track or block over 700,000 lost mobile phones and detect more than 6.7 million suspicious communication attempts.
These efforts underscore the government's commitment to safeguarding citizens from cyber threats and ensuring the integrity of telecom services. The DoT and TSPs' proactive measures, along with the Sanchar Saathi portal, represent significant steps towards protecting Indian citizens from international spoofed calls and other forms of cybercrime. By leveraging advanced technology and fostering collaboration among stakeholders, these initiatives aim to create a safer digital environment for all.
