- By Ashish Singh
- Wed, 23 Oct 2024 11:47 AM (IST)
- Source:IANS
In order to detect and stop incoming international calls that are disguised as Indian phone numbers, the government unveiled a new spam-tracking system. After the system went live, about 1.35 crore, or 90%, of all inbound international calls using Indian phone numbers, were found to be spoofed, and telecom service providers (TSPs) stopped them from reaching Indian telecom customers.
Union Minister of Communications Jyotiraditya Scindia announced the launch of the "International Incoming Spoofed Calls Prevention System," stating that it is another government initiative to create a secure online environment and shield individuals from cybercrime. When this mechanism is put into place, Indian telecom users should notice a major decrease in these counterfeit calls using +91 numbers.
READ: Airtel Launches India’s First AI-Powered Spam Detection Tool To Combat Rising Spam Calls And SMS
Cybercriminals have started committing crimes by using Indian cellphone numbers (+91) to make international fake calls. By altering the calling line identity (CLI), also referred to as the phone number, these calls seem to be coming from India, but they are actually coming from elsewhere.
Financial frauds have leveraged these counterfeit calls to create panic by posing as government representatives. Additionally, there have been instances of cybercrime involving threats to disconnect mobile numbers by DoT/TRAI authorities, phoney digital arrests, drugs or narcotics in couriers, police impersonation, arrests in sex rackets, etc.
Together, the TSPs and the Department of Communications (DoT) have developed a method to detect and prevent such incoming overseas spoof calls from getting to Indian telecom customers.
READ: TRAI Cracks Down On Spam Calls, Over 2.75 Lakh Mobile Numbers Banned, 50 Entities Barred
"Even with the greatest of intentions, scammers may nevertheless succeed in other ways. You can assist with these calls by reporting suspected fraudulent communications at the Chakshu facility on Sanchar Saathi," the ministry stated. As the system recognises and bans incoming international calls, this is another action taken by DoT to safeguard citizens against cyber fraud.