New Delhi: Union Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia says that the country has seen a major drop in spoof calls after the rollout of new fraud detection systems. Scindia told CNBC TV18 that tougher checks on fake caller identities have already shown strong results.
The minister highlighted how serious the situation was earlier. Scindia said, “We had close to about 1.35 crore spoofed calls… Today… the number… has dropped from 1.35 crores a day to only 1.2 lakhs a day. So there’s a 97 percent drop.” It is a massive shift for people receiving scam calls every other day.
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Spoof call crackdown shows big gains
According to Scindia, these changes are part of a larger push to protect Indian mobile users. The government recently disconnected 82 lakh SIM cards linked to suspicious and illegal activity. Fraudsters misuse cloned or fake IMEI numbers and mobile identities. These actions target that type of misuse.
Scindia explained that fraud losses for citizens reached ₹22,800 crore last fiscal year. So safety measures cannot wait. “This is the need of the hour,” he told CNBC TV18.
The minister said a complete framework is in progress. It builds on three core steps
• fraud detection systems already in place
• SIM-binding rules for communication apps
• a mandatory security app on every smartphone
Sanchar Sathi set to become compulsory on all phones
Scindia confirmed that smartphone makers will soon be told to preload the Sanchar Sathi cyber security app. Users also will not be allowed to remove it. The instruction will arrive in a few days, he said, and brands will get a clear compliance timeline.
The app has already recovered millions worth of stolen devices. He noted it “has already supported the recovery of almost 6.5 lakh phones reported through the Sanchar Sathi platform.” It also helps users verify IMEI numbers and block misuse before more damage happens.
Phone makers, including Apple and Android brands, may have concerns about space and user control. But the minister feels that the larger goal matters more right now.
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SIM-binding to tighten identity checks
Messaging apps like WhatsApp and Telegram have a wide user base in India. Fraudsters often rely on these apps to send scam links or impersonate family members. SIM-binding rules will ensure that accounts stay tied to the real user.
The minister said the new rule “addresses the ability of fraudsters to use messaging platforms anonymously, often by obtaining SIM cards through false credentials.”
Scindia added that companion devices on multi-device apps must log out every few hours. This will reduce misuse on tablets and laptops.