AI uncovers fraudulent mobile number scheme, reveals shocking number of fraudulent mobile numbers
West Bengal recorded the most fraudulent connections, with over 12 lakh fraudulent connections discovered.
Highlights
- A study found that 38 lakh deactivated fraudulent connections identified in states & UT
- The Ministry urges states & UTs to register FIRs against cybercrime wrongdoer
- West Bengal has the highest number of fraudulent connections
According to a recent AI-driven study conducted by the Union Ministry of Communications, approximately 40.87 lakh numbers (equivalent to 0.47%) were found to have been obtained using fraudulent documentation out of the 87.85 crore mobile connections analysed throughout India.
It must be noted that the analysis covered only 22 Licenced Service Area (LSA) circles and examined a subset of the total subscriber base, which amounts to 131 crore connections in total.
In an internal communication sent by K Rajaraman, the secretary of the Ministry of Communications, to Chief Secretaries and Director Generals of Police across all states and Union Territories, it was disclosed that out of the 40.87 lakh fraudulent connections identified through ASTR (a telecom SIM subscriber verification solution powered by AI), approximately 38 lakh of these numbers have been deactivated.
Fraudulent connection data
In phase 1 of the study, which examined 87 crore mobile connections across 22 Licensed Service Area (LSA) circles in India, it was discovered that 44,582 Point of Sales (PoS) operated by telecom service providers were implicated in the sale of these fraudulent connections.
According to the study, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has taken action by identifying and blacklisting the 44,582 PoS belonging to telecom service providers. Surprisingly, only 181 First Information Reports (FIRs) have been filed throughout India, covering 1,575 of the total offenders involved in fraudulent activities.
In an effort to restrain the rise in cybercrime cases, the Ministry has urged all states and Union Territories (UTs) to register FIRs against those involved in such offences.
The highest number of FIRs, reaching 86, were filed in the Jammu and Kashmir circle, Gujarat followed with 26 FIRs, while Bihar (including Jharkhand) and Tamil Nadu each recorded 18 FIRs against PoS.
On the other hand, Punjab witnessed 13 FIRs filed against PoS. The analysis of 1.20 crore mobile connections in Jammu and Kashmir revealed that 15,194 of these connections had been secured using false documents, on which the investigators had discovered the same faces but different identities. In J&K,14,494 lines were terminated due to fraudulent connections, and 3024 PoS were placed on a blacklist.
Similarly, 5.33 lakh numbers were discovered to have been obtained using fake documents in the Haryana circle, where 3.08 crore connections were examined.
As a result, 5.24 lakh phone numbers were terminated,which was the most in phase 1. Meanwhile, 3.17 crore numbers were assessed in the Punjab circle, and 1,51 lakh were discovered to be fraudulent connections, while 1.44 lakh numbers were terminated. Five FIRs were registered in Haryana, and 13 in Punjab.
The West Bengal circle reported the highest number of fraudulent connections, with 12,34,114 detected out of 4.52 crore connections examined.
Surprisingly, despite this significant number, not a single FIR was filed in the region. The Ministry's communication emphasised the urgency of taking measures to solve this problem, calling for an increased number of FIRs to be registered against the offences.
Haryana pioneers automates ban
OP Singh, Assistant Director General of Police for Haryana, claims that they are examining the statement on the fraud cases. Haryana is the first state in the country to automate the banning of lost or stolen mobile devices by combining the CEIR (Central Equipment Identity Register) and CCTNS (the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network System) networks.
Field units in Haryana have been instructed to utilise the space and inform locals about the Sanchar Saathi webpage, the official added.
In May, the Union Ministry introduced the Sanchar Saathi portal,which is a citizen-centric initiative aimed at offering a secure digital platform for telecom subscribers. Additionally, the Department of Telecommunications launched the TAFCOP portal, enabling individuals to verify the number of mobile connections registered under their name and report any unauthorised connections.
