If you’ve ever received a job or investment offer from an unknown number and thought about trusting it, then this news is important for you.
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is now using AI technology to stop such frauds, and so far, 3 to 4 lakh SIM cards have already been blocked.
This action is being taken through a special system developed by DoT called the Financial Fraud Risk Indicator (FRI).
Launched a few months ago, this system is specifically designed to track and block mobile numbers involved in frauds and scams.
How the AI System Works
According to a recent report by The Economic Times, the FRI system is identifying around 2,000 suspicious numbers every day, most of which are linked to investment or job scams.
Once a number is marked as “high risk,” the AI doesn’t just stop there—it goes a step further.
A senior DoT official said that the system also tracks other SIM cards connected to the flagged number using AI-based pattern matching.
This means the entire network of fraud-related numbers can be detected and blocked—not just a single phone number.
Impact on Digital Payments
Thanks to this system, digital payment apps like Google Pay, PhonePe, and Paytm were able to prevent fraud transactions worth crores of rupees just last month.
It’s already proving to be a big help in protecting users and platforms from financial scams.
RBI’s Involvement
In July 2025, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issued an advisory to all types of banks—including commercial, cooperative, and payment banks—asking them to integrate the FRI system with their platforms.
Following this, several technical improvements were made to the system to increase its speed and reduce response time, allowing faster action against fraud numbers.
Why This Matters to You
This step by the government shows how serious the issue of digital fraud has become. AI is now being used to actively detect and block scammers before they can cause harm.
So, if you often receive messages or calls about suspicious offers, think twice before replying.
And remember—your number could be next if it’s ever linked to a scam, even unknowingly. So stay alert and don’t share your mobile number or personal details with unknown sources.
