Recent updates reveal that around 1.8 million mobile numbers are set to be blocked by India’s leading telecom companies, marking the government’s most significant action against cybercrime and online fraud to date. The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has issued an order to disconnect over 28,000 mobile handsets used for cybercrime. Following this, telecom companies have been instructed to block the mobile numbers associated with these handsets.
Blocking 1.8 Million Mobile Numbers
The government is preparing to block approximately 1.8 million mobile numbers nationwide to protect smartphone users from the surge in cybercrime and online fraud over the past few years. Investigative agencies have identified these numbers as being involved in financial fraud.
28,220 Devices Blocked
On May 9, the DoT ordered telecom operators to block around 28,220 mobile devices. Additionally, nearly 2 million mobile numbers, used in these blocked handsets, were mandated for re-verification.
Cyber Fraud Complaints
Telecom department officials report that around 10% of these 2 million mobile numbers have been re-verified by operators, who are expected to complete verification within 15 days. According to the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP), cyber fraud resulted in a loss of ₹10,319 crore in 2023, with 694,000 cyber fraud complaints registered on the portal.
Reasons for the Action
DoT officials state that cybercriminals have been using SIM cards from different telecom circles to commit fraud, frequently changing mobile numbers and handsets to evade detection. For instance, SIM cards from West Bengal and Jharkhand were used in Delhi-NCR for cybercrime, with criminals switching SIM cards and handsets after making a single outgoing call to avoid investigation.
In 2023, investigative agencies blocked around 200,000 SIM cards due to fraud, with the highest number of 37,000 blocked in Mewat, Haryana.
Tracking Cybercrime
To track cybercrime, the government has instructed telecom companies to monitor SIM card usage patterns closely. Special attention is required for SIM cards used beyond their home circle to prevent fraudulent activities.
