Government unveils strategies to combat cyber frauds in India, as reported by Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia
In an effort to combat the rising tide of cybercrime and telecom fraud, the Indian government has implemented a series of strategic tools and platforms. These include the Digital Intelligence Platform, Sanchar Saathi portal, ASTRA app, CIOR system, and Financial Fraud Risk Indicator (FRI).
The Digital Intelligence Platform, a unified system involving the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), the Ministry of Home Affairs, law enforcement agencies, police departments across 32 states, and over 570 public and private sector banks, has facilitated coordinated efforts to detect and prevent fraud. This collaboration has enhanced real-time fraud detection and response.
The Sanchar Saathi portal, introduced by the government, enables individuals to report misuse of SIM cards and recover stolen devices. Through this platform, close to 3 crore suspicious SIM cards have been blocked, and over 5 lakh stolen phones have been recovered and returned to their rightful owners.
The AI-powered ASTRA app, developed by the DoT, uses data intelligence to detect and disconnect fraudulent mobile connections. Together with the CIOR system, over 82 lakh numbers have been disconnected, leading to a 97% reduction in spoofed international calls to India.
The Financial Fraud Risk Indicator (FRI), mandated by the Reserve Bank of India and developed by the Department of Financial Services, helps banks and financial platforms assess and flag high-risk transactions, thereby reducing financial fraud related to digital payments and transactions.
These strategic measures have shown marked reductions in specific threat vectors such as SIM fraud and spoofed calls. However, cybercrime in India continues to grow rapidly, with reported losses rising from about Rs 7,465 crore in 2023 to Rs 22,845 crore in 2024, and over 22 lakh cybercrime complaints in 2024.
Minister of Communications Jyotiraditya Scindia, in an exclusive interview, outlined the steps the government has taken so far to curb the rising number of scams. He stated that the government remains vigilant in stopping fraudulent transactions, with a firm message that they are "on the prowl."
The government acknowledges the continually evolving threat landscape, necessitating ongoing advancements in technology and regulations. A broader AI-driven cybersecurity architecture, such as the Sentinel Net framework, complements these tools by enabling real-time monitoring and early detection of ransomware, fraudulent transactions, and critical infrastructure threats, enhancing national digital security.
While these successes are significant, the overall cybercrime volume and financial losses remain high, reflecting the complexity and scale of the challenge. Continued innovation in AI-based detection, enhanced coordination, and regulatory enforcement are key to sustaining and improving these gains. The Indian government continues to strive towards a safer digital environment for its citizens.
The AI-driven Sentinel Net framework, a comprehensive cybersecurity architecture, is crucial for real-time monitoring and early detection of cyber threats. This technological advancement complements existing tools in the fight against cybercrime.
General-news outlets should report on the ongoing efforts in the crime-and-justice sector, focusing on the Indian government's commitment to innovation in AI-based detection and regulatory enforcement to maintain a safer digital environment.
