The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has launched a significant crackdown, blocking 1.92 crore SIM cards and 2.2 lakh mobile devices with specific IMEI numbers across India to counter the burgeoning threat of cybercrimes. This action is part of a comprehensive strategy to protect citizens from fraudulent schemes, including high-yield investment scams and gaming fraud.
First reported by the Ahmedabad Mirror, the action has significantly affected Gujarat, with over 10,000 mobile devices and more than 675,000 SIM cards being deactivated. Digital fraudsters frequently employ deceptive links to trick unwary individuals, often leading to considerable monetary damages.
The DoT’s initiative began with identifying SIM cards acquired fraudulently using other individuals’ documents. The scrutiny extended to wholesale registrations of SIM cards under a single name and photo, multiple SIM cards issued to the same person, and those linked to criminal activities as identified by central investigation agencies.
State police, banks, and the Artificial Intelligence and Facial Recognition Powered Solution for Telecom SIM Subscriber Verification (ASTR) also contributed vital inputs.
Furthermore, 365 First Information Reports (FIRs) have been filed against POS SIM card sellers across India.
To further curb cybercrime, the government has blocked SIM headers used by cybercriminals to send fraudulent messages. Nationwide, 32,000 SMS headers have been blocked, including 573 in Gujarat. Of these, 423 were related to fake instant loan offers, and 150 were linked to gambling messages.
Beyond blocking SIM cards and mobile devices, ASTR is also employed to shut down fraudsters’ social media accounts. According to the CEO of the Center for Development of Telematics (C-DOT), once fraudulent SIM cards are detected, notifications are sent to police, banks, and social media companies like Meta, suspending associated accounts and filing FIRs.
Despite the successes, there are concerns regarding the ASTR system, which is used to verify telecom SIM subscribers. As Medianama pointed out, issues such as data handling practices, privacy safeguards, and consent mechanisms have been raised, with critics pointing out the potential for privacy violations and data misuse.
The technology is also not infallible, and natural ageing could potentially impact accuracy. DoT must clear the fog around the technology and provide details about data storage, retention, and user consent policies.
In May 2024, the DoT ordered telecom companies to block international incoming calls displaying Indian mobile numbers.
In April, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) launched the Pratibimb app for real-time monitoring, mapping and visualisation of mobile numbers associated with cybercrime.
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