DoT, FIU-IND Join Forces to Curb Telecom-Based Frauds

30 Sep 2025 CW Team

The MoU was signed by Shri Sanjeev Kumar Sharma, Deputy Director General (AI & Digital Intelligence Unit – DIU), DoT, and Shri Amit Mohan Govil, Director, FIU-IND, in the presence of Dr. Neeraj Mittal, Secretary (Telecom), and Shri Arvind Shrivastava, Secretary (Revenue). The agreement establishes a collaborative intelligence-sharing framework between the DIU and the country’s apex financial intelligence agency.

Under the partnership, the agencies will enable real-time sharing of Financial Fraud Risk Indicator (FRI) data, which classifies mobile numbers as medium, high, or very high risk. DoT will provide the Mobile Number Revocation List (MNRL), detailing dates and reasons for disconnections, while FIU-IND will share mobile numbers linked to Suspicious Transaction Reports (STRs) involving cyber fraud or money mule activities. Data exchange will leverage advanced platforms including DoT’s Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP) and FIU-IND’s Finnex 2.0 portal, ensuring secure, real-time transmission.

This collaboration aims to prevent financial crimes, protect digital transactions, and enable proactive fraud detection. Using the FRI, which incorporates inputs from the Chakshu platform, financial institutions, and law enforcement agencies, early warnings will identify potentially fraudulent mobile numbers before financial harm occurs.

Building on DoT’s Digital Intelligence Platform—which currently serves over 700 users from 36 State/UT police units, central law enforcement agencies, SEBI, NPCI, FIU-IND, and 650 banks and financial institutions—the initiative complements existing measures such as the Sanchar Saathi platform. These efforts have already resulted in the disconnection of 28.4 million fraudulent mobile connections and prevented 4.8 million transactions, saving Rs 1.4 billion from potential fraud.

The MoU also provides for the development of Standard Operating Procedures, feedback mechanisms to enhance fraud analytics, and issuance of red-flag guidelines to financial institutions. Continuous consultation between the agencies will ensure the framework adapts to evolving cyber threats and safeguards India’s rapidly expanding digital economy.

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the Financial Intelligence Unit-India (FIU-IND) have signed a comprehensive Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen information sharing and coordination, marking a major step in India’s fight against telecom misuse in cyber-crimes and financial fraud.The MoU was signed by Shri Sanjeev Kumar Sharma, Deputy Director General (AI & Digital Intelligence Unit – DIU), DoT, and Shri Amit Mohan Govil, Director, FIU-IND, in the presence of Dr. Neeraj Mittal, Secretary (Telecom), and Shri Arvind Shrivastava, Secretary (Revenue). The agreement establishes a collaborative intelligence-sharing framework between the DIU and the country’s apex financial intelligence agency.Under the partnership, the agencies will enable real-time sharing of Financial Fraud Risk Indicator (FRI) data, which classifies mobile numbers as medium, high, or very high risk. DoT will provide the Mobile Number Revocation List (MNRL), detailing dates and reasons for disconnections, while FIU-IND will share mobile numbers linked to Suspicious Transaction Reports (STRs) involving cyber fraud or money mule activities. Data exchange will leverage advanced platforms including DoT’s Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP) and FIU-IND’s Finnex 2.0 portal, ensuring secure, real-time transmission.This collaboration aims to prevent financial crimes, protect digital transactions, and enable proactive fraud detection. Using the FRI, which incorporates inputs from the Chakshu platform, financial institutions, and law enforcement agencies, early warnings will identify potentially fraudulent mobile numbers before financial harm occurs.Building on DoT’s Digital Intelligence Platform—which currently serves over 700 users from 36 State/UT police units, central law enforcement agencies, SEBI, NPCI, FIU-IND, and 650 banks and financial institutions—the initiative complements existing measures such as the Sanchar Saathi platform. These efforts have already resulted in the disconnection of 28.4 million fraudulent mobile connections and prevented 4.8 million transactions, saving Rs 1.4 billion from potential fraud.The MoU also provides for the development of Standard Operating Procedures, feedback mechanisms to enhance fraud analytics, and issuance of red-flag guidelines to financial institutions. Continuous consultation between the agencies will ensure the framework adapts to evolving cyber threats and safeguards India’s rapidly expanding digital economy.

Infrastructure Transport

17 Oct 2025

Sonowal Unveils Eight Projects at NMPA’s Golden Jubilee

Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, inaugurated the Curtain Raiser Ceremony of the Golden Jubilee Celebrations of the New Mangalore Port Authority (NMPA) at Bharat Mandapam. To commemorate the milestone, he unveiled eight major maritime infrastructure projects designed to strengthen India’s port network, enhance logistics performance, and promote sustainability. These include a modern cruise terminal, new covered storage facilities, a 150-bed multi-speciality hospital, expanded truck terminals, and improved port access infrastructure aimed at enhancing..

Infrastructure Energy

17 Oct 2025

India To Boost US LPG Imports, Cut Middle East Reliance

India is planning to reduce imports of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) from the Middle East as state-owned refiners prepare to ramp up purchases from the United States, according to sources familiar with the matter. The move aligns with New Delhi’s efforts to expand energy cooperation and secure a broader trade deal with Washington. State refiners have already notified their traditional LPG suppliers in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Qatar of the potential reduction in imports. Although the exact size of the supply cut was not disclosed, earlier reports suggested that Indi..

Infrastructure Energy

17 Oct 2025

UK Sanctions Nayara Energy in Crackdown on Russian Oil

The United Kingdom has announced fresh sanctions on 90 entities, including Indian refiner Nayara Energy Limited, in its latest bid to curb Russian oil revenues and weaken President Vladimir Putin’s war funding. The sanctions, unveiled jointly by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and the UK Treasury, aim to disrupt networks supporting Moscow’s crude exports amid the ongoing war in Ukraine. According to the FCDO, the new restrictions are intended to “strike at the heart of Putin’s war funding” by targeting firms and assets that enable Russia’s energy trade. “..