In a significant move to combat the electricity KYC update scam, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has mandated the pan-India IMEI-based blocking of 392 mobile handsets implicated in cybercrime and financial frauds. This action, detailed in an official release, underscores DoT’s commitment to protecting citizens from digital frauds.
The crackdown follows numerous reports of fraudulent activities where scammers exploited mobile numbers to disseminate deceptive SMS and WhatsApp messages related to electricity KYC updates. These messages often contained malicious APK files, allowing fraudsters to manipulate and gain control over victims’ devices.
Leveraging the Chakshu portal for reporting and analyzing fraudulent activities, DoT initially identified five suspect numbers. “The portal’s AI-driven analysis revealed that 392 handsets linked to 31,740 mobile numbers were involved in such fraudulent activities,” the release stated. Consequently, DoT has directed all Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) to implement the IMEI-based blocking of these handsets.
In addition to blocking the devices, DoT has instructed the TSPs to re-verify the 31,740 mobile connections linked to these handsets. Failure to complete the re-verification process will result in the immediate disconnection of the reported numbers and the blocking of the associated handsets.
This initiative highlights DoT’s ongoing efforts to enhance the security of telecommunications networks and safeguard citizens from cybercrimes and financial frauds. “Vigilant and alert citizens have been proactive in reporting suspected fraud communications via the ‘Chakshu-Report Suspected Fraud Communications’ facility on the Sanchar Saathi portal,” the release added. This proactive reporting helps DoT in effectively combating and preventing digital frauds.
The action by DoT signifies a robust response to the growing threat of digital frauds, reinforcing its dedication to securing telecommunications and protecting user data across the nation.
