In a significant crackdown on digital fraud, the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), under the Ministry of Home Affairs, has identified and blocked over 1,700 Skype IDs and 59,000 WhatsApp accounts used for illicit activities.
Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Bandi Sanjay Kumar, informed the Lok Sabha that the ‘Citizen Financial Cyber Fraud Reporting and Management System,’ launched in 2021 under I4C, has proven instrumental in combating financial fraud. “The system has facilitated the recovery of over ₹3,431 crore, addressing nearly 9.94 lakh complaints,” Kumar stated in a written response.
The government has also blocked over 6.69 lakh SIM cards and 1.32 lakh IMEIs linked to fraudulent activities as of November 15, 2024. Efforts have been intensified to combat spoofed international calls that mimic Indian mobile numbers, often used in scams such as fake arrests, FedEx fraud, and impersonation of officials. Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) have been directed to block such calls to safeguard users.
Additionally, a Cyber Fraud Mitigation Centre (CFMC) has been established at I4C to enhance inter-agency coordination. Representatives from major banks, financial institutions, payment platforms, TSPs, IT intermediaries, and law enforcement agencies work together at CFMC to ensure swift action against cybercriminals.
The minister emphasized the central government’s commitment to strengthening mechanisms to address cybercrime, highlighting proactive measures to prevent fraud and ensure a secure digital ecosystem for citizens.
