Sanchar Saathi’s Chakshu Facility: A step towards Curbing Communications-based Frauds and Scams!

The Technology and, especially, the Communication Technology has played an invincible role in transforming the our lives on a large scale! It has made it very easier and convenient for us to stay connected with our loved-ones on the tap of a button on our Mobile Phones. Advancing the arena of Communication, the Mobile Phones seemed to be utilizing the Video Calling Facilities too that made in bringing our loved-ones more closer.

But, there is a perfect saying that when a technology comes in our lives, it comes with the dual aspects - Good and Bad! Or in a more simpler way, we can say - advantages and disadvantages!

Although, it is really good to upgrade ourselves and be in tune with the ever changing technolocial advancements! But, in such direction, we need to be a little careful also.

On the one hand, where the advancements in the communication technology has made it convenient for us to be in touch with our distant relatives within a second of time; on the other hand, it has also posed a greater threat for us that can land us in the vicious circles of troubles like frauds and scams too. With the ever increasing facilities of communication technologies, the vicious circle of fraudsters and scammers has also grown-up equally.

With an aim to counter the frauds & scammers and bust their vicious circle, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has come up with the establishment of the Digital Intelligence Platformfor the prevention of misuse of Telecom Resources in Cyber-Crimes and Financial Frauds in the Country. The launch of “Chakshu Facility” is such a milestone in this direction.

The Department of Telecommunications’ Sanchar Saathi’ initiative - Chakshu Facility has come up to be a greater help in reporting the suspected Fraud Communications under the various categories.

The Sanchar Saathi initiative is aimed at empowering the Citizens for reporting such suspected Fraud Communications where a fraud was attempted; but, not actually committedby the Fraudsters.

The list of the disconnected Mobile Numbers, known as Mobile Number Revocation List (M.N.R.L.), alongwith the reasons & date of disconnection and Financial Fraud Risk Indicator (F.R.I.) which is a risk-based metric that classifies a Mobile Number to have been associated with medium, high or very high risk of Financial Frauds are hosted by the D.I.P. The process also iinvolves sharing of the suspected Mobile Numbers provided by the Citizens on Chakshu as part of F.R.I. after due analysis.

The total process enables the DoT in taking the stringent steps and curbing the vicious plots the Fradusters and Scammers have built-up nto harm the Citizens of the Country.

As per the Official data, a total of around 39.43 Lakhs Mobile Connections have been disconnected, 2.27 Lakh Mobile Handsets have been Blacklisted and 1.31 Lakh SMS Templates have been Blacklisted till now.

The steps being taken by the Department of Telecommunications is indeed a way towards enabling the Country’s Citizens to have a safe and secure communication without any worries!