Executive Summary:
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has taken measures to combat fraudulent mobile connections and misuse of telecom resources. The measures include disconnecting connections acquired through forged documents, developing platforms for information sharing and fraud detection, and launching citizen-centric initiatives. The document outlines the actions taken and technologies developed by the DoT.
Key Points / Main Content:
Fraudulent Mobile Connections:
* Over 82 lakh mobile connections acquired through forged documents have been disconnected after reverification using the ASTR tool.
* WhatsApp accounts associated with certain mobile numbers are flagged and reported to Meta for disengagement.
Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP):
* The DoT has developed an online secure DIP for sharing information related to the misuse of telecom resources.
* State/UT Police are onboarded on the DIP.
Cross-Border Telecom Fraud:
* The DoT and Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) have implemented the Centralised International Outroamer Register (CIOR) to identify and block incoming international spoofed calls displaying Indian mobile numbers.
Digital Intelligence Unit (DIU) Capacity:
* The DIU has enhanced capacity building of human resource skillset.
* AI and big data analytics tools, including ASTR, CIOR and DIP, have been developed.
Citizen-Centric Initiatives:
* Sanchar Saathi, accessible via web portal and mobile app, allows citizens to report suspected fraud communications, check mobile connections in their name, and report lost/stolen mobile handsets.
Financial Fraud Risk Indicator (FRI):
* FRI has been developed as a risk-based metric classifying mobile numbers based on their association with financial fraud risk (Medium, High, or Very High).
* FRI empowers stakeholders like banks, NBFCs, and UPI service providers to prioritize enforcement and customer protection measures.
Impact Analysis:
Citizens:
* Impact: Citizens can report fraud, track connections in their name, and report stolen handsets, reducing their vulnerability to telecom fraud.
* Action Required: Utilize the Sanchar Saathi platform to report fraud and manage their mobile connections.
State/UT Police:
* Impact: Enhanced access to information via the DIP to aid in investigating and preventing telecom fraud.
* Action Required: Utilize the DIP platform for information sharing and coordination.
Telecom Service Providers (TSPs):
* Impact: Required to implement CIOR to block spoofed international calls.
* Action Required: Implement and maintain CIOR to block international spoofed calls.
Banks, Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs), and Unified Payments Interface (UPI) Service Providers:
* Impact: Can leverage the FRI to assess risk associated with mobile numbers and prioritize enforcement and customer protection.
* Action Required: Integrate FRI into their risk assessment processes and implement appropriate customer protection measures.
Key Entities Referenced
Department of Telecommunications DoT: A department under the Ministry of Communications responsible for telecommunications policy and regulation in India.
Digital Intelligence Unit DIU: An unit established by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to combat fraudulent activities related to mobile connections and telecom resources.
ASTR: A tool developed by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to detect mobile connections acquired through forged documents.
Digital Intelligence Platform DIP: An online secure platform developed by DoT for sharing information related to misuse of telecom resources among stakeholders, including State/UT police.
Telecom Service Providers TSPs: Companies that provide telecommunication services
Centralised International Outroamer Register CIOR: A system devised by DoT and TSPs to identify and block incoming international spoofed calls displaying Indian mobile numbers.
Sanchar Saathi: A citizen-centric initiative launched by DoT, accessible through a web portal and mobile app, to enable citizens to report fraud communications and manage their mobile connections.
Financial Fraud Risk Indicator FRI: A risk-based metric that classifies a mobile number based on its association with financial fraud, used by banks, NBFCs, and UPI service providers.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS
DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1692
ANSWERED ON 30TH JULY, 2025
FRAUDULENT MOBILE CONNECTIONS
1692. SHRI MAGUNTA SREENIVASULU REDDY:
SHRI G M HARISH BALAYOGI:
Will the Minister of COMMUNICATION be pleased to state:
(a) the number of fraudulent mobile connections disconnected and WhatsApp accounts frozen
by the Digital Intelligence Unit (DIU), State/UT-wise;
(b) whether the DIU coordinates with the law enforcement agencies at the State/UT level;
(c) if so, the details of the States/UTs with established nodal integration units and the nature of
support provided by the DIU;
(d) whether DIU has identified cases of cross-border telecom fraud;
(e) if so, the details of the cooperation mechanism with foreign countries/regulators/agencies to
address such threats;
(f) the details of the technological and human resource capacity of the DIU including the
availability of analytics tools, data infrastructure and the number of personnel deployed;
(g) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to strengthen the DIU in cybersecurity
infrastructure, advanced analytics and enhanced integration with financial institutions; and
(h) whether the Government has implemented/plans to implement artificial intelligence-based
threat detection systems and real-time data-sharing mechanisms, if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
(DR. PEMMASANI CHANDRA SEKHAR)
(a) Department of Telecommunications (DoT) through its ASTR tool detects mobile connections
that were acquired through forged documents and has disconnected more than 82 lakhs such
connections after they failed reverification. Further, WhatsApp accounts associated with the certain
mobile numbers are sent to Meta for disengagement.
(b) & (c) DoT has developed an online secure Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP) for sharing
of information related to misuse of telecom resources among the stakeholders. State/ UT Police are
on-boarded on the DIP.
1(d) & (e) DoT and Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) have devised a system called Centralised
International Outroamer Register (CIOR) to identify and block incoming international spoofed calls
displaying Indian mobile numbers.
(f) to (h) Digital Intelligence Unit (DIU) of DoT has evolved the ecosystem for curbing misuse
of telecom resources through enhanced capacity building of human resource skillset and by
development of AI & big data analytics tools, inter-alia, including ASTR, CIOR and DIP. Further,
Sanchar Saathi, a citizen centric initiative has been launched by DoT which is accessible through
web portal & mobile App and facilitates citizens to report suspected fraud communications, to know
mobile connections in their name, to report lost/ stolen mobile handsets etc.
In addition, Financial Fraud Risk Indicator (FRI) has been developed which is a risk-based
metric that classifies a mobile number to have been associated with Medium, High, or Very High
risk of financial fraud. FRI empowers stakeholders-especially banks, Non-Banking Financial
Companies (NBFC), and Unified Payments Interface (UPI) service providers to prioritize
enforcement and take additional customer protection measures in case a mobile number has high
risk.
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