Call and Message Fraud Is a Global Threat, Says Telecom Minister Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani
Fraudulent activities carried out through phone calls and messages have become a global threat, Minister of State for Communications Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani said while addressing the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Plenipotentiary Conference (PP-26) in Doha, Qatar.
Speaking on Wednesday, the minister highlighted the importance of building trust in digital technology as countries continue expanding telecommunications infrastructure and connecting more people to the internet.
Digital Connectivity Must Be Supported by Trust
Pemmasani emphasised that expanding network coverage alone is not enough to achieve meaningful digital inclusion. As more people access digital services, protecting users from fraudulent communications and financial scams becomes increasingly important.
He noted that the next billion internet users are expected to come from villages, islands and remote regions. These communities need reliable connectivity as well as confidence that digital platforms and communication services are safe to use.
The minister's remarks highlight the growing importance of cybersecurity in an increasingly connected global economy.
India's Efforts to Prevent Digital Fraud
During his address, Pemmasani said India's fraud alert system had helped prevent suspected financial losses of approximately ₹5,000 crore.
India has also introduced initiatives to identify and report suspicious communications. The Department of Telecommunications' Sanchar Saathi platform includes the Chakshu facility, which allows citizens to report suspected fraudulent calls, SMS messages and other communications.
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India has also issued public advisories warning people about fraudsters impersonating government officials and threatening mobile number disconnection to extract money or personal information.
India's Expanding Digital Infrastructure
The minister also highlighted the growth of India's digital infrastructure over the past decade.
According to his remarks, internet subscriptions have increased from approximately 250 million to more than 1.1 billion. He also stated that 5G connectivity reaches 99.9% of India's districts.
Under the BharatNet programme, more than 220,000 village councils are broadband-ready. India is investing an additional USD 15 billion to expand the rural broadband network.
These developments reflect the country's continued focus on extending digital connectivity to underserved communities.
Strengthening Cybersecurity Alongside Connectivity
The growing use of digital payments, online services and mobile communication has created new opportunities for individuals and businesses. However, it has also increased exposure to phishing messages, impersonation scams and fraudulent calls.
Preventing these threats requires cooperation among governments, telecom operators, financial institutions and technology companies. Public awareness, effective reporting systems and stronger security measures will remain important in protecting digital users.
As India continues expanding its digital ecosystem, the challenge will be to ensure that connectivity is accompanied by security, accountability and public trust.
