Department of Telecommunications (DoT) may disconnect over 30,000 mobile connections due to their link with the electricity KYC update scam. With the help of proactive reporting by citizens regarding suspected fraudulent communication, the DoT has been able to identify a few mobile handsets that will be blocked to avoid any future scams from the said devices. “Vigilant citizens have been proactive in reporting suspected fraud communications via the 'Chakshu-Report Suspected Fraud Communications' facility on the Sanchar Saathi portal of DoT. This helps the DoT in combating and preventing cybercrimes and financial frauds,” the department said in an official release.
On the Chakshu portal citizens reported cases of scammers using SMS and WhatsApp messages asking for electricity KYC updates and sending malicious APK files intended to manipulate and gain control over victims' mobile phones.
392 handsets involved in fraud
DoT identified five suspect numbers initially after going through the Chakshu portal which had several reports to help analyse fraudulent activities. After running an artificial intelligence (AI) analysis of the portal, the telecom department found that 392 handsets linked to 31,740 mobile numbers were involved in many fraudulent activities.
To mitigate any further damage, the DoT has asked all Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) for a pan India IMEI-blocking of these 392 mobile handsets. The handsets were used for cybercrime, and financial scams in multiple cases.
The department has further ordered the TSPs to re-verify 31,740 mobile connections that were linked to these mobile handsets. DoT stated that any failure in re-verification would lead to an immediate disconnection of reported numbers. In case of non-compliance, the department will further block associated handsets.
Be aware of this scam:
The fraudsters would typically message or call you asking you to update your KYC details to prevent electricity from being disconnected in your house. To create fear among victims they would send URGENT messages, frequently attached with harmful links.
Then the fraudsters would ask you for personal information/details such as OTP, account number, etc., using which they can dupe you out of money.
Chakshu facility on the Sanchar Saathi portal
The government has initiated ‘Chakshu’ as the latest addition to its citizen-centric facility, available on the Sanchar Saathi portal (Sancharsaathi.gov.in) of DoT’s website.
On Chakshu you can report suspected fraud communication received via call, SMS, or WhatsApp. These calls intend to defraud you by generating fear over the KYC expiry date or update of bank account/payment wallet/SIM/gas, connection/electricity connection, sextortion, impersonation as government official/relative for sending money, disconnection of all mobile numbers by the DoT, etc.
