Government Takes Action: Blocks 6.69 Lakh SIM Cards and 1.32 Lakh IMEIs to Combat Cyber Crimes

The Indian government has taken action against cyber crimes by blocking 6.69 lakh SIM cards and 1.32 lakh International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) numbers, as reported by police authorities. This information was shared in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday. Minister of State for Home Affairs, Bandi Sanjay Kumar, explained that a system has been developed with Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) to detect and block international spoofed calls that appear to originate from Indian numbers.

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These spoofed calls have been used by cyber criminals in scams involving fake digital arrests, FedEx frauds, and impersonation of government and police officials. The minister stated that TSPs have been instructed to block such calls. As of November 15, 2024, over 6.69 lakh fraudulent SIM cards and 1.32 lakh IMEIs have been blocked by the Indian government.

Cyber Crime Prevention Measures

In an effort to combat financial fraud, the citizen financial cyber fraud reporting and management system was launched under the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) in 2021. This system allows for immediate reporting of financial frauds and helps prevent the diversion of funds by fraudsters. So far, it has successfully saved more than Rs 3,431 crore across over 9.94 lakh complaints.

The initiative reflects the government's commitment to tackling cyber crime and protecting citizens from financial losses due to fraudulent activities. By collaborating with TSPs and implementing advanced systems, authorities aim to curb the misuse of technology for criminal purposes.

Efforts are ongoing to enhance these measures and ensure a safer digital environment for all users in India. The focus remains on identifying new threats and adapting strategies to effectively address them as they arise.