NT Reporter
Margao
Secretary (Telecom) and Chairman of the Digital Communication Commission (DCC), Dr Neeraj Mittal, said the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has identified 4.2 crore fraudulent mobile connections and blocked 32 lakh stolen devices through initiatives like the Sanchar Saathi mobile app, even as spoof calls have been reduced by 97 percent.
“DoT has taken several steps to improve cyber security, like the use of the Sanchar Saathi Mobile app, which empowers citizens to block stolen phones, report frauds and check their mobile connections and verify their devices. Over 14 crore users have been checked so far, 4.2 crore fraudulent connections have been identified, 32 lakh stolen devices have been blocked, and we have been able to cut spoof calls by about 97 percent,” Mittal said, speaking via video at the DoT’s annual West Zone Conference on security-related matters held in South Goa.
He said while telecom resources had grown positively, their misuse was also rampant and stressed the need to plug loopholes and strengthen network resilience. The conference also called for greater interdepartmental collaboration to reduce threats.
Speaking about the state’s measures against telecom-linked frauds, Goa DGP Alok Kumar said, “In recent months, Goa Police, in close coordination with our partners, have taken targeted interventions, including blocking of fraudulent phone numbers, tracing of lost and missing mobiles using CEIR, ground-level verification of POS agents and seizures of SIM boxes in a major operation. Goa Police has traced and recovered 50 stolen phones, ensuring they are returned to the owners.”
Member (S), DCC, Special DG Maharashtra LSA Deb Kumar Chakrabarti called for preventive action. “We have to find more preventive measures rather than focus on after the crime. This is a global crisis, and the world has to come together to tackle these issues. There is a need to change our pace because technology is fast developing and changing. To ensure prevention, we have to be ahead of the scamsters. Collaboration, including with foreign partners, is the key to success. Just like disaster drills, we have to organise cyber drills and make adequate use of AI,” he said.
The conference also discussed security issues in the west zone, case studies, and experiences shared by participating states.
