New Delhi: The Central Government has issued a strong advisory urging citizens to stay alert against rising cases of cyber fraud involving suspicious international calls, particularly those beginning with prefixes like +697 or +698. These calls, often made using internet-based technologies, are being widely used for financial scams and identity theft, officials said.
The alert comes as part of a broader cyber awareness initiative, with the government launching and promoting the Chakshu portal and mobile app, where people can report such fraudulent communications. The portal is part of an evolving digital surveillance and protection system to help safeguard citizens from sophisticated cybercrime networks.
The government explained that VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) calls are the primary channel for these scam attempts. These calls, often disguised to appear like legitimate international numbers, are actually routed through Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) that mask the caller’s real identity and location.
Authorities revealed that these numbers are notoriously difficult to trace, making them ideal tools for fraudsters. Typically, such calls are used to impersonate officials, trick victims into sharing sensitive information, or lure them into phishing traps and financial frauds.
According to inputs from the National Public Telecom Commission (NPTC) in Thailand, many of these numbers are believed to originate from fraudulent call centres abroad. Similar patterns have been detected across various states in India, prompting the Centre to launch this urgent advisory.
The Telecom Department has advised that if you receive a call from an international number starting with +697 or +698, you should not answer or engage. Instead, block the number and report it on the Chakshu portal or app.
The government emphasized that public vigilance is the first line of defense. By ignoring these suspicious calls and reporting them promptly, citizens can help curb the growing menace of cyber fraud.