In a significant move to curb fraudulent activities plaguing mobile users, the government has launched Chakshu portal under the Sanchar Sathi initiative. The platform empowers subscribers to report suspected fraud calls, deceptive messages (such as lottery offers and job scams), and even instances of phone number leaks by businesses.
The Chakshu portal aims to enhance vigilance and transparency in the telecommunications sector. Union IT and Communications Minister, Ashwini Vaishnaw, said that Chakshu is about reporting something that people suspect is fraud.” With this user-friendly platform, subscribers can promptly report any suspicious communication—whether it’s a dubious call, an enticing SMS, or a WhatsApp message. Examples of such fraudulent communications include messages related to bank accounts, payment wallets, SIM cards, gas connections, electricity accounts, KYC updates, and impersonation attempts.
When questioned about leaked mobile numbers, minister Vaishnaw assured citizens that the Chakshu portal would address this issue as well. Subscribers can report instances of number leaks, and action will be taken against the culprits. He said that over 1 crore mobile numbers have been disconnected in the past nine months due to their association with malicious activities.
The Department of Telecom also introduced the Digital Intelligence Platform to increase collaboration between law enforcement agencies, banks, and other financial institutions. This platform will facilitate the exchange of critical information to combat fraud effectively.