Over 15,000 WhatsApp Accounts of These Users Blocked by Indian Government: Here’s Why

Last update:November 22, 2024, 2:00 PM IST

WhatsApp is used by scammers and hackers to steal valuable data and money from their victims.

Thousands of accounts have been used on the app to scam people

India’s Cyber ​​Crime Coordination Center (I4C) and the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) have blocked at least 17,000 WhatsApp accounts used by cybercriminals in Southeast Asia, it said on Thursday.

In a post on social media platform X, CyberDost, a cyber security appliance maintained by the Ministry of Home Affairs, said it aims to disrupt offshore criminal networks and strengthen India’s digital security.

“I4C, in collaboration with DoT, has successfully blocked 17,000 WhatsApp accounts used by cybercriminals in Southeast Asia. The initiative aims to disrupt offshore criminal networks and strengthen #DigitalSecurity in India,” CyberDost posted.

In May this year, the Ministry of Home Affairs established an inter-ministerial committee in response to a large increase in transnational organized cybercrime originating from Southeast Asian countries such as Cambodia, Myanmar and Laos-Philippines.

About 45% of cyber-financial fraud in India originates from places in Southeast Asia. These crimes have become more complicated and larger, costing victims a lot of money.

I4C has taken many steps to damage the infrastructure that hackers use.

His investigation revealed that cybercriminals trick people into giving them money by offering them fake investment opportunities, games, dating apps and trading platforms.

In particular, Indian teenagers and young adults were tricked into going to Cambodia to find work, only to be forced to commit cybercrimes there.

Indian nationals protesting in a Cambodian city were arrested and steps were taken to send them back home and keep them safe.

I4C focuses on addressing all cybercrime issues for citizens, which includes improving coordination between various law enforcement agencies and stakeholders, leading to change in India’s overall ability to address cybercrime and improve the satisfaction level of citizens.

The Indian Cybercrime Coordination Center scheme was approved on 5 October 2018.

Since its launch, it has worked to improve the nation’s collective ability to address cybercrime and develop effective coordination between law enforcement agencies.

(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed – IANS)