Government orders Jio, Airtel, and other telcos to block 28,200 phones and reverify 20 lakh mobile connections

The Department of Telecom (DoT) has taken a strong stance against cyber crimes by directing telecom operators to block 28,200 mobile handsets allegedly linked to such activities. This move comes as part of a collaborative effort between DoT, Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), and State Police to combat the misuse of telecom resources in cyber-crime and financial frauds.

According to an official statement, analysis conducted by MHA and state police revealed that 28,200 mobile handsets were used in cybercrimes, with 20 lakh mobile connections associated with these handsets. As a result, DoT has instructed telecom companies to block these handsets and conduct immediate reverification of the linked mobile connections to prevent further misuse.

In addition to the recent directive, the DoT has flagged 10,834 suspected mobile numbers for re-verification and has blocked 348 mobile handsets across the country. The department has also blacklisted 52 entities involved in sending malicious and phishing SMSes since the launch of the Chakshu portal in March.

Furthermore, DoT has blocked 1.58 lakh unique mobile device identification numbers (IMEI) due to their involvement in cyber crimes and financial frauds, as well as mobile connections obtained through fake or forged documents. As of April 30 this year, DoT has disconnected 1.66 crore mobile connections, with a significant number being disconnected based on user feedback and exceeding individual limits for purchasing new SIM cards.

This proactive approach by DoT aims to dismantle networks of fraudsters and protect citizens from digital threats, highlighting the importance of collaboration between government agencies and telecom operators in ensuring cybersecurity.