How government is tackling fraud calls issue and what citizens can do

At a time when citizens are receiving several fraudulent calls, often disguised as originating from Indian mobile numbers, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) – in collaboration with Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) – has introduced an advanced system. This system is designed to identify and block incoming international spoofed calls before they can reach Indian telecom subscribers.

These fraud calls are manipulated by cyber-criminals operating from abroad, and they exploit the Calling Line Identity (CLI) to mask the actual origin of the calls. They call potential victims and accuse them or their relatives of involvement in drug trading, narcotics, and sex rackets – intensifying public concern.
The spoofing has also led to a number of incidents involving threats of mobile number disconnection, fake digital arrests and even impersonation of government officials or law enforcement agencies.

According to a statement by the Ministry of Communications, the advanced system is being deployed in two phases: first, at the TSP level, to prevent calls spoofed with phone numbers of their own subscribers; and second, at a central level, to stop calls spoofed with the numbers of subscribers from other TSPs.
“As of now, all four TSPs have successfully implemented the system. About one third of total spoofed calls at 4.5 million spoofed calls are being stopped from entering the Indian telecom network,” the ministry said.
In the next phase, there will be a centralised system that will eliminate the remaining spoofed calls across all TSPs. It is expected to be commissioned shortly.

Since fraudsters continue to adapt and devise new methods to deceive the public, the telecom department has urged citizens to report suspected fraud communications to help it in identification and prevention of misuse of telecom resources for cyber-crime, financial frauds.
“It will also help in safeguarding citizens from impersonation, exploitation, and enabling proactive action against potential threats,” it added.
Citizens can report such calls at Chakshu facility available on the Sanchar Saathi platform (http://sancharsaathi.gov.in/) by providing details about suspected fraud calls, SMS, and WhatsApp messages including screenshot, medium of receipt, category of intended fraud, date and time of receiving such communication.