“Saavdhaan Agar Aapko Anjane Number Se…”: DoT Directs Jio, Airtel, and Vodafone to Play Cybercrime Alert Caller Tunes
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The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has directed major telecom operators, including Reliance Jio, Airtel, and Vodafone Idea, to roll out cybercrime awareness messages as caller tunes. This three-month initiative aims to educate subscribers about the growing dangers of online fraud.
Cybercrime Warnings in Caller Tunes
Under this directive, telecom users will hear a pre-call announcement or ringback tone featuring cybercrime alerts up to 8–10 times daily. A popular message begins with:
“Saavdhaan!!! Agar aapko anjane number se police judge ya CBI ke call aate hai…”
The Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C) provides these messages, which will be updated weekly. Telecom operators have been instructed to implement these changes immediately.
Tackling Cybercrime Through Awareness
The move comes in response to a surge in sophisticated scams, such as the “digital arrest” fraud, where criminals impersonate law enforcement officials to extort money. Additionally, the government is working with telecom companies to block international calls disguised as local numbers to curb such crimes.
Recently, over 6.69 lakh fraudulent SIM cards and 1.32 lakh International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) numbers linked to cybercrimes were deactivated as part of a larger crackdown.
Stay aware, stay safe. pic.twitter.com/sPY0nDUhhZ
— DoT India (@DoT_India) December 23, 2024
Promoting Cybersecurity and Safety
The DoT is also actively spreading awareness on social media platforms. In a recent post on X (formerly Twitter), it reminded citizens to “Stay aware, stay safe.”
By introducing caller tune warnings and addressing fraudulent telecom practices, the government aims to embed cybersecurity awareness into everyday communication for millions of subscribers. This initiative reinforces its commitment to protecting citizens against digital threats.
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