Cyber ​​Fraud: Cyber ​​fraudsters in India have siphoned off ₹52,000 crore over the last 5 years! DoT has frozen 5.9 million bank accounts..

Cases of cyber fraud are rising rapidly in India. New data released by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has left everyone astonished. Over the past five years, people in India have lost more than ₹52,000 crore due to cyber fraud. However, a silver lining is that the government and the Department of Telecommunications are in "action mode" to combat these fraudsters. Let us examine the statistics presented by the government on this issue and the measures being taken to curb these fraudulent activities.

**6 Million Cyber ​​Fraud Complaints in 5 Years**
Speaking in Mumbai on the occasion of World Telecommunication Day, DoT officials revealed that approximately 6 million complaints related to cyber fraud have surfaced over the last five years. Of these, more than 3,000 cases have been resolved, and six major gangs involved in fraudulent activities have been apprehended. Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems are now being utilized on a large scale to detect fraud instantly and to secure telecommunication networks. Furthermore, with the enactment of the new Telecom Act 2023 and the Telecom Cyber ​​Security Rules 2024, India's digital security framework has become significantly more robust than before.

**₹50 Lakh Fine and Imprisonment for Obtaining Fraudulent SIM Cards**
To eradicate SIM card-related fraud at its very root, the government is soon set to implement the draft rules for a Biometric Identity Verification System (2025). Under these new regulations, biometric verification will become mandatory for all telecom users. If an individual attempts to procure a fraudulent SIM card by stealing someone else's identity, they could face imprisonment for up to three years. Additionally, provisions have been made to impose hefty fines—up to ₹50 lakh—in such cases.

**Major Action by the Government**
In a concerted effort to cripple the operations of these fraudsters, the Department of Telecommunications has launched a massive and rigorous crackdown in collaboration with various agencies, including banks, UPI service providers, and law enforcement. As part of this operation, 34 million (3.4 crore) mobile numbers that fell under suspicion have been permanently disconnected. Additionally, 1.697 million (16.97 lakh) WhatsApp accounts involved in cyber fraud have been banned. Further enhancing security at the device level, 227,000 (2.27 lakh) handsets with invalid IMEI numbers have been blocked.

The most significant action has been taken regarding bank accounts, where 5.9 million (59 lakh) suspicious bank accounts—used for transferring fraudulent funds—have been frozen. This measure prevented approximately ₹1,000 crore from falling into the hands of fraudsters. Meanwhile, through the government's 'Sanchar Saathi' portal, authorities have successfully blocked and tracked nearly 1 million (10 lakh) lost or stolen mobile phones, valued at approximately ₹1,250 crore.

**Take These Immediate Steps in Case of Fraud**
The government has urged citizens that if they fall victim to any online or financial fraud, they should immediately call the National Cyber ​​Crime Helpline number, 1930, without delay. To ensure safety and recovery, it is crucial to file a complaint within 24 hours of the incident. Furthermore, use the 'Sanchar Saathi' app or website to block a lost phone or to report any suspicious calls. To date, the platform has been downloaded by over 17 million (1.7 crore) people.

The country's telecom infrastructure is also undergoing continuous modernization. As part of this initiative, more than 100 5G labs have been established across engineering colleges nationwide. Additionally, solar panels are now being installed on new mobile towers to reduce electricity consumption.

Disclaimer: This content has been sourced and edited from Amar Ujala. While we have made modifications for clarity and presentation, the original content belongs to its respective authors and website. We do not claim ownership of the content.