On Tuesday, October 22, the government introduced a new spam-tracking system designed to identify and block international calls disguised as Indian phone numbers, a tactic frequently used by scammers for financial fraud. The system, named the ‘International Incoming Spoofed Calls Prevention System,’ was unveiled by Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia.
“This marks a significant step in the Department of Telecommunications’ (DoT) efforts to create a safer digital environment and protect citizens from cybercrime,” the government stated.
How the System Protects Against Scam Calls
Scammers have increasingly adopted a technique where they disguise international calls as local Indian numbers (+91-xxxxxxxxx). By manipulating the calling line identity (CLI), these calls appear to originate from within India, despite being made from abroad. This tactic helps fraudsters bypass suspicion and gain the trust of their targets.
These spoofed calls are often used to carry out various forms of fraud, including:
- Financial Scams: Tricking individuals into revealing sensitive financial information or making unauthorized payments.
- Impersonation: Fraudsters pose as government officials, law enforcement, or even family members to extract money or personal information.
- Extortion: Scammers may use threats, such as false accusations of involvement in illegal activities or imminent arrest, to coerce victims into paying money.
According to the government, scammers have used spoofed calls for financial fraud, impersonation of officials, and to create panic through fake claims of mobile disconnection or digital arrests. Some common scams include impersonating Department of Telecommunications (DoT) or TRAI officials, threats of fake drug-related charges, or posing as police officers.
The newly launched system identifies and blocks such calls before they reach unsuspecting victims. In just 24 hours since its launch, the system has already identified and blocked approximately 1.35 crore spoofed calls—accounting for 90% of all incoming international calls. With the implementation of this system, Indian telecom users can expect a noticeable reduction in spoofed calls appearing from +91 numbers, helping protect them from falling victim to cybercrime and fraud
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