Spam Calls Plummet 99%: Govt Saves Rs 6,500 Crore from Fraud
Government sources reveal a 99% drop in daily spam calls and Rs 6,500 crore saved from fraud through Sanchar Saathi and new anti-fraud systems.
In a massive crackdown on digital menace, India has witnessed a staggering 99 per cent drop in daily spam calls reduction India, according to government sources. Once a daily plague of approximately 3.5 crore calls, the volume of unsolicited calls has crashed as the telecom ecosystem's anti-fraud mechanisms begin delivering results at a massive scale.
Massive Purge of Fraudulent Numbers
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has taken aggressive action through the Sanchar Saathi initiative. As part of this drive to cleanse the telecom network and protect citizens, approximately 55 to 56 lakh mobile numbers have been disconnected. This move is a central pillar in the government's strategy to dismantle the infrastructure used by scammers to target unsuspecting users.
New Tools to Identify Callers
To empower users, the government has implemented the Calling Name Presentation (CNAP) system. This feature allows all subscribers on 4G networks and above to see the actual name of the caller on their screens. By removing the anonymity that fraudsters rely on, CNAP helps mobile users instantly identify and avoid suspicious incoming calls.
A Multi-Agency Shield Against Fraud
The fight against cybercrime has evolved into a coordinated effort involving several sectors. The Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP) now serves as a hub for 1,600 to 1,800 stakeholders, including:
- Banking institutions
- Law enforcement agencies (LEAs)
- Telecom operators
- Various financial institutions
This collaborative framework ensures that information is shared in real-time to intercept fraudulent activities before they can cause harm.
Saving Billions: The Role of FRI
One of the most impactful measures has been the Financial Fraud Risk Indicator (FRI), mandated by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for all financial institutions. This system flags suspicious bank accounts, allowing banks to freeze or block transactions that appear fraudulent.
Government sources reveal that this proactive indicator has successfully stopped fraud worth nearly Rs 6,500 crore from occurring, saving a massive amount of money for citizens.
Public Participation and the Sanchar Saathi Surge
Officials have credited the public for the success of these initiatives. The Sanchar Saathi portal has become a go-to resource for citizens, recording nearly 35 crore hits. Furthermore, the accompanying mobile application has been downloaded between 3.5 to 4 crore times, showing a high level of public awareness and adoption.
"On cyber security and securing the interests of our customers, we are front line. We will not compromise on that," stated a government official, emphasizing that protecting telecom users remains a top priority.