Site icon SCC Times

TRAI’s Public Advisory on Frauds Misusing its Identity

Kriti
TRAI's Advisory

On 6-8-2025, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (‘TRAI’) issued an advisory cautioning the public about a rise in cyber frauds and financial scams involving misuse of TRAI’s name.

TRAI also cautioned the public against the impersonation of TRAI officials through calls, messages, forged documents, and fraudulent letterheads to threaten/ mislead individuals and coerce them into sharing personal information or transferring money.

Frauds Misusing TRAI’s identity:

  1. Digital Arrest scam:In this scam callers impersonate TRAI or law enforcement officials and falsely accuse individuals of telecom or financial violations or criminal actions. The callers manipulate victims through fake legal documents, forged identities, and threats of arrest or account freezing, and are coerced to transfer money under the pretext of bail, fines, or verification.
  2. Digital Arrest scam: Calls or messages falsely claiming that a mobile number will be disconnected due to KYC issues unless immediate action is taken.
  3. Mobile Tower Installation Offers: Fraudulent proposals offering high rental income in exchange for upfront registration fees, often supported by forged TRAI approvals.

  4. Forged Letters or Emails: using TRAI’s logo to legitimize demands for money, investment offers, or compliance actions.

All you need to know about TRAI:

  1. It is an independent statutory authority established under the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Act, 1997.
  2. It regulates telecom and broadcasting services, recommends policy measures to the Government, and monitors service quality.

  3. TRAI does not:

    • Conduct investigations against individual consumers;
    • Request Aadhaar, bank account, OTP, or other personal details;

    • Issue arrest threats or warnings via digital platforms.

TRAI’s clarification:

  1. It does not initiate communication with customers regarding mobile number disconnection through messages or otherwise.
  2. It has not authorized any third-party agency to contact customers for such purposes.

  3. It has also been clarified that no regulatory body conducts investigation ot collects payments through phone calls, messaging apps or video platforms.

TRAI’s PUBLIC ADVISORY:

  1. In case the citizens receive threatening or suspicious calls then disconnect immediately.
  2. Citizens should avoid sharing personal, banking or identification details on calls or video chats.
  3. Citizens are advised not to transfer money in response to unsolicited demands.
  4. Citizens should verify independently through official websites or government helplines.
  5. Frauds should be reported to the National Cybercrime Helpline (1930) or https://cybercrime.gov.in/
  6. Suspicious numbers should be flagged by the citizens via Chakshu facility on Sanchar Saathi or the TRAI DND app.
Exit mobile version