Union Minister Scindia Outlines Government's Crackdown on Cyber Fraud and Telecom Security Threats

NEW DELHI: Union Minister for Communications Jyotiraditya Scindia on Tuesday outlined key steps taken by the government to tackle cyber fraud and enhance the security of the telecom sector. He emphasized initiatives that have successfully prevented fraud amounting to Rs 4,000 crore, while also addressing concerns related to digital threats and telecom scams.

A major initiative by the Ministry of Home Affairs was the creation of the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), designed to address various types of cybercrime in a comprehensive manner. This network has reportedly saved nearly Rs. 10 lakh in public funds and significantly disrupted fraudulent activities.

In the telecom sector, the introduction of an anti-fraud app has resulted in the disconnection of 2.75 lakh phone numbers and the blacklisting of 10,000 headers involved in fraudulent communications.

Moreover, caller identification software has blocked over 25-30 crore calls in the past two months, including 1.35 crore calls in a single day, effectively preventing the misuse of international numbers infiltrating Indian networks.

Scindia acknowledged the dual-edged nature of technology, noting that while it offers immense benefits, it also creates opportunities for misuse.

"With every new technology comes huge dividends, which every human being takes advantage of. But along with this, also comes the possibility of people using it in nefarious ways and incorrect or wrong ways...The scope is forever there, and with technology, the scope is still there. We have tried to stop this and raise awareness of it," he said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently raised similar concerns during his 'Mann Ki Baat' program, urging citizens to stay alert against digital frauds. He highlighted a growing scam known as "digital arrest," where fraudsters impersonate law enforcement officials to intimidate and extort money from victims. Modi stressed that no agency conducts inquiries through phone or video calls and called for increased public awareness.

These measures reflect the government’s commitment to protecting users from escalating cyber threats while stressing the importance of collective efforts in combating digital fraud.

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