Govt. To Set-Up New Nodal Agency To Deal With Tele-Frauds

by Shatakshi Gupta

The government is planning to form a nodal agency named Digital Intelligence Unit (DIU) to work with law enforcement agencies, financial institutions and telecom service providers to investigate telecom fraud cases.  It aims to help combat digital fraud in India.

Electronics and Information Technology Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad chaired a high-level meeting on Monday to discuss the increasing cases of harassing messages and calls, frequent harassing SMS and fraud loans.

 In addition to the Digital Intelligence Unit, the Telecom Ministry said that a specific Telecom Analytics for Fraud Management and Consumer Protection (TAFCOP) system will be developed at a Licensed Service Area (LSA) level to detect digital fraud cases in the country. This system will strengthen people’s trust in the digital ecosystem and make secure and reliable financial digital transactions primarily through mobile.

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Strict action should be taken

At the meeting, Prasad directed the officials to take strict action against the telemarketers and individuals involved in the harassment of the telecom subscribers. He informed that telecom resources are also being used in the country to commit financial fraud. However, telecom operators provide a facility of Do Not Disturb (DND) to prevent spam call to subscribers. However, people registered with DND still receive commercial communications.

Apart from this, Prasad directed the officials of the Department of Telecom to discuss the issue with the telecom service providers of the country and ensure compliance with the laid down rules and procedures in this regard.

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Violation of rules will attract heavy fine

 In case of any violation of DND rules, it is also proposed to impose financial penalty against the company. The government is also planning to create a web / mobile app and SMS-based system to prevent increasing financial fraud through misuse of telecommunications resources.