India Cracks Down on Fake Mobile Connections and Scam Calls with AI Technology
India has disconnected 1.77 crore mobile connections linked to fake or forged documents using advanced AI-based tools, according to the Ministry of Communications. This initiative is part of a larger effort to secure the country’s telecom network and curb cybercrime. Additionally, 45 lakh spoofed international calls have been blocked, thanks to an advanced system developed in collaboration with telecom service providers (TSPs) and the Department of Telecommunications (DoT).
Centralised System to Block Spoofed Calls: A Two-Phase Rollout
The DoT’s new anti-spoofing system is being rolled out in two phases. In the first phase, telecom service providers (TSPs) are working to prevent calls from being spoofed using their subscribers’ phone numbers. The second phase, which will be commissioned soon, will introduce a centralized system to block spoofed calls made from numbers issued by other TSPs. This system aims to enhance security across all telecom networks.
Major Crackdown: 1.77 Crore Fake Connections and Devices Disabled
The government’s crackdown on cybercrime has already led to the disconnection of 33.48 lakh mobile connections and the blocking of 49,930 handsets used by cybercriminals in hotspots across India. In addition, 77.61 lakh mobile connections that exceeded the prescribed limit for individual users were also disconnected. Furthermore, 2.29 lakh phones involved in fraudulent activities were blocked, and 12.02 lakh out of 21.03 lakh reported lost or stolen mobile phones have been traced by the DoT.
As part of this sweeping operation, over 11 lakh accounts tied to these fake connections have been frozen by banks and payment wallets. The government also blacklisted 71,000 Point of Sale (SIM agents) involved in selling fraudulent SIM cards and registered 365 First Information Reports (FIRs) across multiple states and union territories.
Action Against Malicious WhatsApp Accounts and SMS Fraud
In addition to mobile connections, more than 11 lakh WhatsApp accounts connected to fake or forged documents have been deactivated. The government has also taken strict action against entities involved in sending malicious SMSs. Around 20,000 entities have been disconnected, along with 32,000 SMS headers and 2 lakh SMS templates that were used in fraudulent activities.
AI Tools Lead India’s Fight Against Telecom Fraud
These actions highlight India’s growing reliance on AI technology to secure its telecom infrastructure and combat cybercrime. The next phase of the DoT’s efforts, particularly in the battle against spoofed calls, is expected to further strengthen the country’s defenses against telecom fraud, making India’s digital ecosystem safer for consumers.
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