The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) under the Ministry of Communications recently issued an advisory to citizens about calls from specific numbers, which the ministry said citizens were receiving, and that the callers, impersonating the DoT, were threatening to disconnect their mobile phone numbers.
These callers threaten mobile phone users that their numbers are being used for illegal activities, similar to how users are blackmailed in CBI-related cybercrimes, where criminals pretend to be CBI officials and claim that illegal packages have arrived in their name.
WhatsApp calls from Pakistan ‘threatening’ mobile users
The DoT has also issued an advisory regarding WhatsApp calls from foreign mobile numbers. These numbers (such as +92-xxxxxxxxxx) impersonate government officials to dupe people.
Please note that +92 is Pakistan’s country code. The Ministry of Interior (MHA) has also urged mobile phone users to avoid calls from unknown numbers beginning with ‘+92’ or any other international code.
The Ministry of Telecommunications warned mobile users that through such calls, cybercriminals are trying to blackmail or steal personal information to commit cybercrimes and financial frauds. The DoT further said that it has not authorised anyone to make such calls on its behalf and advised people to remain vigilant and not to share any information when receiving such calls. If you answer a call from an unknown number beginning with +92, you should not share your credentials, bank login details or OTPs.
How to report this type of scam
The DoT has advised citizens to report such fraudulent communications through the “Chakshu-Report Suspected Fraud Communications” facility on the Sanchar Saathi portal (www.sancharsaathi.gov.in). Such proactive reporting will help the DoT prevent misuse of communication resources for cybercrimes, financial frauds etc.
Further, citizens can check the mobile connections under their name on the Sanchar Saathi portal (www.sancharsaathi.gov.in) under the ‘Know Your Mobile Connections’ facility and can report the mobile connections which they are not availing or do not require.
The Ministry of Transport has also advised citizens to report any cybercrime or financial fraud they have fallen victim to through the Cyber Crime Helpline number 1930 or www.cybercrime.gov.in.
