GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 15th May. The Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Ministry of Communications, has issued a stern advisory cautioning citizens against responding to fraudulent calls threatening to disconnect their mobile services. These calls, purportedly made on behalf of DoT/TRAI, aim to coerce individuals into divulging personal information or engage in illicit activities.
WhatsApp Impersonation Scam: Beware of Foreign Numbers
In addition to the fake calls, the DoT has highlighted another scam involving WhatsApp calls originating from foreign numbers, particularly from +92 prefixes, impersonating government officials. These fraudulent attempts are orchestrated by cybercriminals to deceive unsuspecting victims.
Stay Vigilant, Report Suspected Fraud
DoT/TRAI unequivocally denies authorizing any such calls and urges citizens to remain vigilant. Individuals are encouraged to report any suspicious communications through the ‘Chakshu – Report Suspected Fraud Communications’ platform on the Sanchar Saathi portal (www.sancharsaathi.gov.in/sfc)
Combatting Cybercrime: Measures Taken
The DoT has undertaken robust measures to combat fraudulent activities, including:
- Blacklisting 52 principal entities involved in disseminating malicious SMSs.
- Deactivating 700 SMS content templates.
- Blacklisting 348 mobile handsets nationwide.
- Flagging 10,834 suspected mobile numbers for re-verification, leading to the disconnection of 8,272 connections failing re-verification by April 30, 2024.
- Blocking 1.86 lakh mobile handsets implicated in cybercrimes or financial frauds.
Public Awareness Initiatives
Regular advisories are disseminated via press releases, SMS, and social media channels to raise awareness about fake notices impersonating DoT/TRAI, suspected fraud communications, and malicious calls. Citizens are encouraged to report instances of cybercrime or financial fraud to the cyber-crime helpline number 1930 or www.cybercrime.gov.in if they fall victim to such scams.
Stay vigilant, stay informed, and report any suspicious activity promptly to protect yourself and others from falling prey to fraudulent schemes.
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