Citizen‑Driven Digital Platform Tackles Telecom Scams and Mobile Theft
The Ministry of Communications reported that the Communication Partner portal, launched in May 2023, has crossed the 300 million‑visit milestone. The surge in traffic signals an expanding public role in the fight against telecom‑related scams and cyber offences.
Through the portal, citizens can lodge complaints about suspicious phone calls, SMS and WhatsApp messages. They can also verify mobile connections registered in their name, block devices that are lost or stolen, and confirm the legitimacy of a handset before buying it.
Every grievance entered creates actionable intelligence for the Department of Telecommunications, banking institutions and law‑enforcement agencies. The ministry describes portal users as “cyber warriors”, whose shared data helps uncover fake numbers, dubious devices and emerging fraud patterns, enabling pre‑emptive action.
The portal’s flagship module, “Chakshu”, has received 1.28 million reports on fake KYC updates, counterfeit investment schemes, fraudulent job offers and other deceptive communications. Based on these inputs, authorities have taken action in roughly 5.98 million cases, disconnecting more than five million mobile connections.
In addition, the portal has processed over 40 million citizen requests to monitor connections issued in their name, curbing the misuse of SIM cards obtained through identity theft. On the mobile‑security front, the portal has blocked 6.096 million lost or stolen phones nationwide, traced 3.785 million of them and, in coordination with the DOT, telecom service providers and state police, recovered more than 1.4 million devices.
The intelligence gathered also strengthens the Financial Fraud Risk Indicator (FRI) system, which assesses the risk of mobile numbers linked to financial fraud. This data is shared via the Digital Intelligence Platform with banks, payment service providers, telecom operators and policing agencies, helping to spot suspicious transactions and prevent fraud.