According to The Indian Express, a recent study by the Union Ministry of Communication deploying Artificial Intelligence discovered that 40.87 lakh numbers (0.47%) were found using fake documents among 87.85 crore mobile connections analysed across India. There is a 131-crore subscriber base in 22 Licensed Service Areas (LSA) circles, and in phase 1, only 87.85 crore connections were analysed.

As per the internal communication sent out by the secretary from the Ministry of Communications, K Rajaraman, to Chief Secretaries and Director Generals of Police of all states Union Territories on Tuesday declared that 38 lakh such numbers have been disconnected among the 40.87 lakh fraud connections. The study involved a survey of 87 crore mobile connections in 22 LSA circles across India in phase 1. Also, it revealed the involvement of 44,582 Points of Sales (PoS) of the telecom service providers in the sale of such connections.

The study stated, “The DoT has identified and blacklisted the 44,582 PoS of telecom service providers. However, only 181 FIRs have been registered across India covering only 1,575 fraudulent PoS of the total offenders”. The Ministry has asked every state and union territory to register FIR against all the offences to thwart cybercrimes’ growth. 86 FIRs were filed in Jammu and Kashmir circles involving 173 erring PoS. Gujarat followed J&K with 26 lodged FIRs, while Bihar Circle, including Jharkhand and Tamil Nadu, registered 18 such FIRs each, and Punjab saw 13 FIR against PoS.

The Ministry has asked all states and UTs to register FIRs against all offences to prevent increased cybercrime cases. A maximum of 86 FIRs were lodged in Jammu and Kashmir circles involving 173 erring PoS, followed by Gujarat with 26 FIRs. While Bihar Circle, including Jharkhand, and Tamil Nadu registered 18 FIRs each, Punjab saw 13 FIRs against PoS.

Many mobile connections across various states of India were analysed and found to be obtained on fake or forged documents, with some having the same faces but different names, and some were disconnected. There were 5 FIRs filed regarding this in Haryana, 13 in Punjab, and in West Bengal, no FIR was lodged as well. Therefore, The communique from Ministry mentioned the need for taking immediate steps to prevent such menace and advised registering FIR against these offences.

 “I request more FIRs, initiate prosecution against PoS involved in sale of fraudulent mobile connections, integrate Crime and Criminal Tracking Network System (CCTNS network) with National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB)/Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR) for automatic blocking of lost/stolen handsets after lodging of a complaint and take efforts, in case of complaints of stolen mobile phones for physical recovery of mobile handsets on receipt of the traceability information through CEIR,” the statement read.

Haryana Additional Director General of Police OP Singh mentioned, “Field units in Haryana have been asked to use the facility and make people aware of the Sanchar Saathi portal”. Haryana is the first state in the country to integrate CCTNS with CEIR for the automatic blocking of lost or stolen mobile phones.