The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has taken a significant step in response to the Electricity KYC Scam by directing the nationwide IMEI-based blocking of 392 mobile phones used fraudulently in cybercrime and financial fraud. With this firm action, scammers hope to reduce the use of mobile devices for fraudulent purposes, improving security and shielding victims from online fraud and monetary losses. The DoT prevents these compromised devices from being used for additional criminal acts by barring these IMEI numbers, strengthening the integrity of financial and telecom transactions nationwide.
DoT Initiates Targeted Actions to Protect Citizens from KYC Scam
“The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has initiated targeted actions to protect citizens in response to reports of fraudulent activities involving mobile numbers in electricity KYC update scams,” the Ministry of Communications stated in a press statement.
Residents reported instances when fraudsters used malicious APK files and SMS and WhatsApp messages about electricity KYC upgrades to manage and modify victims’ devices.
The DoT first identified five questionable numbers by reporting and examining fraudulent activity using the Chakshu portal. According to the portal’s AI-driven analysis, 392 phones associated with 31,740 mobile numbers were used for fraudulent transactions.
The DoT has ordered all telecom service providers (TSPs) to prohibit 392 mobile phones from being used fraudulently and for cybercrime nationwide based on their IMEIs. It also instructed them to re-verify 31,740 mobile connections connected to these mobile phones. Re-verification failure will lead to the reported numbers being immediately disconnected and related handsets blocked.
What Is Sanchar Saathi Portal’s Chakshu Facility?
The newest service to be added to the citizen-focused offerings on the Department of Tourism’s Sanchar Saathi portal, www.Sancharsaathi.gov.in, is Chakshu. With the aim of defrauding, such as KYC expiry or updates of bank account/payment wallet/SIM/gas, connection/electricity connection, sextortion, impersonating a government official or relative to send money, disabling of all mobile numbers by the DoT, etc., “Chakshu” enables citizens to report suspected fraud communication received over call, SMS, or WhatsApp.
