India Blocks Over 83,000 WhatsApp Accounts in Crackdown on Digital Arrest Scams

The government intensifies cybercrime prevention efforts, deactivating millions of SIM cards and IMEIs, while enhancing public awareness and technological safeguards.

• Authorities have blocked 83,668 WhatsApp accounts and 3,962 Skype IDs linked to digital arrest scams, as confirmed by Union Minister Bandi Sanjay Kumar in Lok Sabha.
• Efforts to curb cyber fraud also included deactivating 781,000 SIM cards and 208,469 IMEIs suspected of fraudulent activity.
• The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) has played a pivotal role, preventing financial fraud worth ₹4,386 crore since 2021 through its centralized operations.
• Public awareness campaigns, including caller tune alerts, influencer engagement, and media programs, are being implemented to inform citizens about cyber fraud risks.
• A toll-free cybercrime helpline (1930) and systems to block international spoofed calls have been operationalized to assist victims and prevent further scams.

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