Govt directs telcos to block 28,200 mobile phones used in cybercrimes; re-verify 20 lakh mobile connections

Fraudster

The government has directed telecom service providers to block 28,200 mobile handsets nationwide due to their involvement in cybercrime. They have also been directed to conduct immediate re-verification of 20 lakh mobile connections associated with these handsets and disconnect those that fail re-verification.

Analysis carried out by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and State Police has revealed that 28,200 mobile handsets were misused in cybercrimes. The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) further analyzed and found that a staggering 20 lakh numbers were used with these mobile handsets.

"Subsequently, DoT issued directions to telecom service providers for pan India blocking of 28,200 mobile handsets and to carry out immediate re-verification of 20 lakh mobile connections linked to these mobile handsets and disconnect failing re-verification," as per an official statement.

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) , Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and State Police collaborated to curb the misuse of telecom resources in cyber-crime and financial frauds.

"This collaborative effort aims to dismantle networks of fraudsters and protect citizens from digital threats. The unified approach demonstrates a shared commitment towards public safety and to safeguard the integrity of telecommunications infrastructure and ensure a secure digital environment," the statement added.

The government recently yintroduced the Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP) to enhance coordination among stakeholders in combating the misuse of telecom resources in cybercrime and financial frauds.

Developed by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), the DIP serves as a secure and integrated platform for real-time intelligence sharing, information exchange, and coordination among various stakeholders. These include telecom companies, law enforcement agencies (LEAs), banks and financial institutions (FIs), social media platforms, and identity document issuing authorities.

Accessible only to authorized stakeholders via secure connectivity, the DIP shares relevant information based on their respective roles. It is important to note that this platform is not accessible to citizens.