The Department of Telecommunications has initiated a crackdown on fraudulent activities in India, leading to the blocking of approximately 300,000 to 400,000 SIM cards. These SIM cards were identified as being used for fraudulent purposes. The Indian government has intensified its efforts to combat spam, scams, and other fraudulent activities. In addition to the SIM card block, stricter regulations have been implemented for SIM card issuance, and a surveillance system is now in place to improve the detection and monitoring of those involved in fraud.
According to data from the Financial Risk Indicator released in May 2025, around 2,000 SIM cards associated with financial scams are detected daily. AI-based technology is being utilized to detect, manage, and identify fraudulent SIM cards effectively.
While UPI has simplified financial transactions, fraudsters have exploited it to defraud individuals. As a result, all banks in India have been advised to integrate Financial Risk Indicators into their systems. These indicators categorize mobile numbers into low, medium, and high-risk categories.
This initiative has helped reduce the time it takes to take action against fraudulent accounts, as reported by the Economic Times. By leveraging the Financial Risk Indicator, financial institutions and banks can prevent fraudulent transactions. Furthermore, telecom companies are bolstering security measures within their network infrastructure to protect the public from fraud.
To safeguard yourself from fraud:
* Avoid clicking on any suspicious links.
* Be cautious of unknown calls and messages.
* Only use official apps.