With cybercrime cases rising sharply across India, the government is intensifying efforts to safeguard telecom users from fraud and identity misuse. Through coordinated action by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), a suite of AI-powered systems, strict KYC reforms, and real-time reporting tools is being rolled out to curb misuse of mobile networks for financial and identity fraud.
AI surveillance and public platforms at the frontline
The DoT has developed ASTR, an AI and Big Data-powered analytics system designed to detect mobile connections issued under false or duplicate identities. So far, ASTR has identified and led to the disconnection of over 8.2 million such numbers. Complementing this, the Sanchar Saathi portal and mobile app enable citizens to monitor all numbers issued in their name and report suspicious activity. Nearly 13.6 million unauthorized mobile connections have been deactivated through this mechanism to date.
These tools represent the government’s two-pronged strategy: empowering the public to monitor their telecom usage while deploying machine-led analysis to identify systemic misuse at scale.
Also read: ₹1.07 Cr Seized in Lucknow’s Biggest Cyber Fraud Bust
Stricter SIM verification norms and end-user accountability
Recognising the role of SIM issuance loopholes in telecom fraud, the DoT has significantly tightened KYC compliance norms. Points of Sale (PoS) issuing SIM cards must now undergo biometric verification, and their business locations are subject to physical inspection. Violations can result in penalties, contract termination, and blacklisting across all telecom operators.
For enterprise users, KYC must now be completed for every individual end-user before service activation. Enhanced verification protocols have also been implemented for SIM swaps and replacements, reducing the risk of impersonation during mobile number changes.
These moves are aimed at preventing malicious actors from exploiting documentation gaps, particularly in high-volume mobile issuance environments.
Nationwide coordination and intelligence sharing in real time
Beyond individual protections, the government is expanding national infrastructure to respond to telecom-related cyber threats in real time. The National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP) enables victims to report fraud, while backend systems like the Telecom Security Operation Centre (TSOC) and Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP) integrate intelligence from banks, telcos, law enforcement, and regulatory agencies.
This real-time threat monitoring system supports predictive detection and large-scale enforcement, responding to a nearly doubled surge in fraud complaints—from 10.3 lakh in 2022 to 22.7 lakh in 2024. As India’s digital ecosystem grows, these measures aim to ensure mobile networks do not become soft targets for data theft and financial crime.
