DoT Warning: In a cautionary recommendation, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) advises mobile users to exercise caution when accepting calls from international numbers on WhatsApp, such as those beginning with +92. The Ministry of Communications posted an alert on Friday, advising users not to divulge any information in the event that they receive calls threatening to disconnect their mobile numbers because they are suspected of engaging in unlawful activities by people posing as government authorities.
Cautionary Advisory from DoT
“Cyber criminals through such calls try to threaten/steal personal information to carry out cyber-crime/financial frauds. The DoT does not authorise anyone to make such calls on its behalf and has advised people to stay vigilant and asked not to share any information on receiving such calls,” the advisory said.
The frequency of reports of bogus calls posing as DoT authorities and threatening to deactivate mobile numbers or accusing them of being involved in illicit activities has increased. Furthermore, scammers have been known to use WhatsApp calls from foreign numbers, especially ones that begin with +92, which is Pakistan’s country code, to trick people.
Reporting Fraudulent Calls
The public is being asked by the Department of Technology to report fraudulent calls by using the Sanchar Saathi portal’s ‘www.sancharsaathi.gov.in Chakshu-Report Suspected Fraud Communications’ feature (). By reporting ahead of time, the DoT can help stop the misappropriation of telecom resources for financial fraud and cybercrimes. If someone has already been the victim of financial fraud or cybercrime, the advice instructs them to report the instances to www.cybercrime.gov.in or the cybercrime hotline number 1930.
DoT’s Proactive Measures
The DoT suo moto stopped more than 1,500 callers, including international lines, connected to threats and cybercrimes earlier this year. With financial fraud becoming more common, these steps are intended to reduce the abuse of telecom resources.
