Have you ever received a call from a number that looks like it’s from India, but something felt off? Turns out, you’re not alone. Recently, cybercriminals have been using international spoofed calls to trick people, making it appear as if these calls are coming from Indian numbers. To address this growing issue, the Indian government has launched a new system called ‘International Incoming Spoofed Calls Prevention System’ to block such fraudulent calls and make digital spaces safer for everyone.
The cybercriminals manipulate the calling line identity (CLI), making it look like calls are originating from within India using Indian mobile numbers (+91-xxxxxxxxxx). However, these calls are actually made from outside the country. This technique has been used in scams where criminals impersonate government officials, threaten to disconnect mobile services, or even claim involvement in criminal activities like drug trafficking, fake arrests, and more.
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The Department of Telecommunications (DoT), along with telecom service providers (TSPs), have developed the new system to detect and block these spoofed international calls.
Within just 24 hours, this system managed to block around 1.35 crore or nearly 90% of incoming international calls that were falsely showing Indian numbers. With this new safeguard in place, telecom users in India can expect a significant reduction in these scam calls.
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But even with these measures, some fraudsters might still find new ways to bypass the system. If you receive any calls that seem suspicious or fraudulent, you can report them through the government’s ‘Chakshu’ facility on the Sanchar Saathi website (www.sancharsathi.gov.in). This will help authorities take further action.
For those who have unfortunately been victims of these cybercrimes, there’s also support available. You can report your case on the national cybercrime helpline number 1930 or by visiting their website at www.cybercrime.gov.in.
With this new system, the government is taking proactive steps to combat cybercrime, ensuring a safer communication environment for everyone. Stay alert, and if you come across anything suspicious, don’t hesitate to report it.