India’s Digital Fraud Prevention Soars with New Initiative
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has announced impressive results from its Financial Fraud Risk Indicator (FRI) initiative, a collaboration backed by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI). Since its launch on May 22, 2025, the FRI has played a crucial role in preventing approximately ₹660 crore in cyber fraud losses, with over 1,000 banks and financial institutions actively utilizing the Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP).
In the six months since its rollout, FRI has enabled financial institutions, including Public and Private Sector Banks, Co-operative Banks, and Third-Party Application Providers (TPAPs), to proactively identify and decline suspicious transactions. The effectiveness of this initiative is further evidenced by the 16 knowledge-sharing sessions conducted by DoT, which aim to bolster awareness and improve implementation of the FRI among stakeholders.
The threat of cyber fraud in India has dramatically changed, with criminals now resembling organized digital syndicates. As tactics grow more sophisticated, the need for collective citizen action has never been more vital. This is where the innovative Sanchar Saathi platform comes into play, empowering users to report fraud and support the FRI.
DoT commends citizens and so-called Cyber Warriors who extensively use Sanchar Saathi to report suspected fraud communications and illegal mobile connections. This initiative has demonstrated a significant rise in downloads and app usage, reflecting the public’s trust in the platform and their proactive stance against cybercrime. By reporting suspicious activity, informed users are helping protect less-aware individuals from potential fraud.
Sanchar Saathi enables users to easily log incidents from their call history, allowing authorities and telecom operators to thwart fraudulent activities. In this way, engaged citizens contribute to a safer digital environment by assisting in identifying fraudulent numbers and disabling fake connections.
DoT encourages all citizens to take advantage of the Sanchar Saathi web portal and mobile app for a host of user-centric services. The department reiterates its commitment to strengthening India’s digital payments ecosystem through active collaboration, vigilant fraud detection, and informed policy-making. This continued partnership with RBI, NPCI, SEBI, and other financial institutions remains critical to ensure the safety of India’s rapidly expanding digital economy.
About Sanchar Saathi Initiative
Sanchar Saathi is a citizen-focused initiative by the DoT designed to enhance mobile security and raise awareness about government initiatives. It features a mobile app and a web portal that provide various services aimed at consumer protection.
Key Features Include:
• Report suspected fraud communications.
• Monitor mobile connections registered under your name.
• Block lost or stolen handsets quickly.
• Verify the genuineness of mobile handsets before purchasing.
• Access verified contact details for banks and financial institutions.
For more information, download the Sanchar Saathi Mobile App available on Android and iOS.
About Financial Fraud Risk Indicator (FRI)
The FRI is a risk assessment tool that classifies mobile numbers based on their association with potential financial fraud. This classification aids stakeholders, including banks and payment service providers, in enhancing customer protection measures.
About Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP)
The DIP is an online platform developed by DoT for secure sharing of information related to the misuse of telecom resources. It involves over 1,050 organizations, including security agencies, police departments, banks, and various financial institutions.
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