DoT issues advisory against fake calls threatening mobile disconnection

• Image Credit: Google

• May 15, 2024 | Pinaki Goswami

The DoT has specifically warned the public against false WhatsApp calls coming from foreign numbers...

Digital Desk: A strong warning has been issued to the public by the Ministry of Communications Department of Telecommunications (DoT) cautioning people not to fall for fake call threats that seek to disconnect their mobile numbers or link them to illicit activities. The Department of Technology has stressed that these calls—which frequently appear to be from government representatives—are scams run by cybercriminals who seek to obtain personal data and steal money.

The DoT has specifically warned the public against false WhatsApp calls coming from foreign numbers, especially those starting with +92, which pose as government officials in an attempt to trick unsuspecting individuals. 

The public is urged to exercise caution and report any suspicious communications to the ‘Chakshu – Report Suspected Fraud Communications’ facility on the Sanchar Saathi portal (www.sancharsaathi.gov.in/sfc). By being proactive in reporting, the DoT can stop the misuse of telecom resources for financial fraud and cybercrime. 

The Department of Technology (DoT) suggests that individuals who have previously been the victims of cybercrimes report them right away to the www.cybercrime.gov.in website or the cybercrime helpline at 1930. 

Measures Taken to Combat Cyber Fraud

The DoT has put in place several initiatives to counter cybercrime and fraudulent communications, including: 

• 52 Principal Entities that transmit phishing and malware SMSs have been blacklisted under the CHAKSHU facility. 

• Deactivation of 700 SMS content templates has occurred. 

• All telecom providers nationwide have blacklisted 348 cell phones.

• As of April 30, 2024, 10,834 suspected mobile numbers have been flagged for re-verification, leading to 8,272 disconnections due to re-verification failure. 

In India, 1.86 lakh mobile phones have been disabled due to their potential involvement in financial fraud or cybercrime. 

Press releases, SMS, and social media warnings have all been regularly distributed by the DoT to inform the public about phony alerts posing as DoT/TRAI, suspected fraudulent communications, and malicious calls. 

For more information and to report suspected fraud communications, visit Sanchar Saathi Portal.