Directions Issued to Block 28200 Mobile Handsets to Curb Cyber Frauds

New Delhi: As part of an effort to check cyber fraud, the Department of Telecom on Friday said directions have been issued to block 28,200 mobile handsets and immediate re-verification of 20 lakh mobile connections linked to these mobile handsets has been ordered, reported The Tribune.

Failing re-verification of identity, the SIM card will be disconnected.

Mobile handsets will be blocked on the basis of their International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number that is unique to each handset.

Telecom service providers have been asked to ensure a pan-India block on these 28,200 mobile handsets and to carryout immediate re-verification of 20 lakh mobile connections linked to these mobile handsets, the DoT said. It added that these SIM cards would be disconnected if re-verification failed.

The Ministry of Home Affairs and State Police forces have identified these 28,200 mobile handsets to be involved in cybercrimes. The DoT further analysed and found that a staggering 20 lakh numbers were used with these mobile handsets.

On February 6, 2024, the Lok Sabha was informed that the government had blocked 3,20,000 SIM cards and 49,000 International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) numbers reported by the police.