The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), an essential initiative under the Ministry of Home Affairs, has achieved remarkable progress in tackling digital fraud. By November 15, 2024, it had successfully blocked more than 1,700 Skype IDs and 59,000 WhatsApp accounts involved in fraudulent activities. This proactive effort is part of a broader campaign to safeguard citizens from cybercrime. Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Bandi Sanjay Kumar, shared the announcement in the Lok Sabha. These measures align with the achievements of the ‘Citizen Financial Cyber Fraud Reporting and Management System,’ introduced under I4C in 2021, which has successfully prevented the loss of over Rs 3,431 crore by addressing more than 9.94 lakh complaints.
1,700 Skype IDs and 59,000 WhatsApp accounts blocked for digital fraud prevention
I4C’s proactive monitoring has led to the identification and subsequent blocking of malicious accounts across various digital platforms:
- 1,700+ Skype IDs: Used by fraudsters for impersonation and scams.
- 59,000+ WhatsApp accounts: Exploited for phishing, impersonation, and financial frauds.
These measures have significantly curtailed the reach of cybercriminals, preventing them from exploiting unsuspecting victims.
Success of the financial fraud reporting system
Established in 2021, the ‘Citizen Financial Cyber Fraud Reporting and Management System’ has played a crucial role in tackling cybercrime complaints.
- Financial impact: Over Rs 3,431 crore has been safeguarded from fraudsters.
- Complaint resolution: More than 9.94 lakh complaints have been effectively managed.
This system ensures rapid reporting of financial frauds, allowing authorities to act swiftly and recover funds before they are siphoned off.
Telecom-based cybercrime measures
Blocking SIM cards and IMEIs
To limit the misuse of telecommunication services, the government has blocked:
- 6.69 lakh SIM cards
- 1.32 lakh IMEI numbers
This initiative prevents cybercriminals from using multiple phone numbers and devices to evade detection.
Combating spoofed calls
In partnership with Telecom Service Providers (TSPs), the central government has implemented systems to block international spoofed calls that appear to originate from within the country.
- Targets: Calls used in scams such as fake arrests, FedEx frauds, and impersonation of government officials.
- Action: Directions have been issued to TSPs to identify and block these calls.
CFMC and suspect registry: India’s new arsenal against cybercrime
Cyber Fraud Mitigation Centre (CFMC)
A cutting-edge Cyber Fraud Mitigation Centre has been established under I4C to ensure collaboration across multiple sectors.
- Participants include delegates from banks, financial institutions, payment processors, telecom companies, IT intermediaries, and law enforcement agencies.
- Objective is seamless cooperation to address cybercrime effectively.
Suspect registry for cybercriminals
On September 10, 2024, I4C introduced a suspect registry in partnership with banks and financial institutions. This registry includes identifiers of known cybercriminals.
Key features:
- ‘Report and Check Suspect’ portal: Citizens can access I4C’s repository of cybercriminal identifiers via the portal cybercrime.gov.in.
- Suspect search: Allows individuals to verify suspicious entities before engaging with them.
Future goals in cybercrime mitigation
I4C continues to refine its strategies and leverage technology to combat emerging threats. Key initiatives include:
- Strengthening cross-sector collaborations to improve detection and response times.
- Expanding public awareness campaigns to educate citizens about cybercrime prevention.
- Enhancing the capabilities of the cybercrime portal with advanced AI tools for real-time analysis.
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