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Showing posts with label Mobile Numbers. Show all posts
Mobile Numbers
account protection Cyber Fraud Cyber Frauds CyberCrime Data Safety User Data Indian Government Mobile Numbers

Government Flags WhatsApp Account Bans as Indian Number Misuse Raises Cyber Fraud Concerns

 

The Indian government has expressed concern over WhatsApp banning an average of nearly 9.8 million Indian accounts every month until October, amid fears that Indian mobile numbers are being widely misused for scams and cybercrime. Officials familiar with the discussions said the government is engaging with the Meta-owned messaging platform to understand how such large-scale misuse can be prevented and how enforcement efforts can be strengthened. 

Authorities believe WhatsApp’s current approach of not sharing details of the mobile numbers linked to banned accounts is limiting the government’s ability to track spam, impersonation, and cyber fraud. While WhatsApp publishes monthly compliance reports disclosing the number of accounts it removes for policy violations, officials said the lack of information about the specific numbers involved reduces transparency and weakens enforcement efforts. 

India is WhatsApp’s largest market, and the platform identifies Indian accounts through the +91 country code. Government officials noted that in several cases, numbers banned on WhatsApp later reappear on other messaging platforms such as Telegram, where they continue to be used for fraudulent activities. The misuse of Indian phone numbers by scammers operating both within and outside the country remains a persistent issue, despite multiple measures taken to combat digital fraud. 

According to officials, over-the-top messaging platforms are frequently used for scams because once an account is registered using a mobile number, it can function without an active SIM card. This makes it extremely difficult for law enforcement agencies to trace perpetrators. Authorities estimate that nearly 95% of cases involving digital arrest scams and impersonation fraud currently originate on WhatsApp. 

Government representatives said identifying when a SIM card was issued and verifying the authenticity of its know-your-customer details are critical steps in tackling such crimes. Discussions are ongoing with WhatsApp and other OTT platforms to find mechanisms that balance user privacy with national security and fraud prevention. 

The government also issues direct requests to platforms to disable accounts linked to illegal activities. Data from the Department of Telecommunications shows that by November this year, around 2.9 million WhatsApp profiles and groups were disengaged following government directives. However, officials pointed out that while these removals are documented, there is little clarity around accounts banned independently by WhatsApp.  

Former Ministry of Electronics and IT official Rakesh Maheshwari said the purpose of monthly compliance reports was to improve platform accountability. He added that if emerging patterns raise security concerns, authorities are justified in seeking additional information.  

WhatsApp has maintained that due to end-to-end encryption, its enforcement actions rely on behavioural indicators rather than message content. The company has also stated that sharing detailed account data involves complex legal and cross-border challenges. However, government officials argue that limited disclosure, even at the level of mobile numbers, poses a security risk when large-scale fraud is involved.
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Social Security Number
AT&T Data Breach Data Hacking Mobile Numbers ShinyHunters Social Security Number

AT&T Denies Involvement in Massive Data Leak Impacting 71 Million People

 


AT&T has categorically denied any involvement in a significant data breach affecting approximately 71 million individuals. The leaked data, disseminated by a hacker on a cybercrime forum, allegedly originates from a 2021 breach of the company's systems. Despite assertions made by the hacker, known as ShinyHunters, and subsequent releases by another threat actor named MajorNelson, AT&T maintains its position, asserting that the leaked information did not originate from its infrastructure.

While the authenticity of the entire dataset remains unconfirmed, the verification of some entries suggests potential accuracy. This includes personal data that is not readily accessible for scraping, such as names, addresses, mobile phone numbers, encrypted dates of birth, encrypted social security numbers, and other internal details.

Despite refuting claims of a breach within its systems, AT&T has not provided definitive evidence to support its stance. Speculation persists regarding the involvement of third-party service providers or vendors, with AT&T yet to respond to inquiries seeking clarification on this matter.

While the leaked data purportedly includes sensitive personal information, such as social security numbers and dates of birth, decryption efforts by threat actors have rendered this data accessible. However, the precise origin of the leaked information remains elusive, fueling speculation and concern among affected individuals and cybersecurity experts alike.

For individuals who were AT&T customers before and during 2021, caution is advised, as the leaked data could potentially be exploited in various forms of targeted attacks, including SMS and email phishing, as well as SIM swapping schemes. Users are urged to exercise heightened caution and verify the authenticity of any communications purportedly from AT&T, refraining from disclosing sensitive information without direct confirmation from the company.

As investigations into the origins of the leaked data continue, the implications for affected individuals underscore the importance of robust cybersecurity measures and heightened awareness of potential threats. The incident serves as a telling marker of the ever-present risks associated with the digital realm and the imperative for proactive measures to safeguard personal information.

While AT&T denies any involvement in the data leak, concerns regarding the security and privacy of affected individuals persist. The unprecedented nature of cyber threats necessitates ongoing vigilance and collaborative efforts to combat risks and ensure the protection of personal data in an increasingly interconnected world.


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Security
Cyber Fraud Fraud Fraudsters Mobile Numbers Safety Scam Security

Police Blocked 20K+ Mobile Numbers Issued on Fake Papers

 

In accordance with a police officer, Haryana Police's cyber nodal unit has blocked 20,545 mobile phones issued on fraudulent and counterfeit paperwork. According to a Haryana police spokesman, the majority of the blocked SIM cards were issued in Andhra Pradesh, with West Bengal and Delhi following closely behind. 

Similarly, the police have detected and reported on the portal more than 34,000 cellphone numbers involved in cyber fraud operating across the state, including 40 hotspot villages in Nuh district. 

“At the same time, the remaining 14,000 mobile numbers involved in cyber fraud will also be blocked soon through the Department of Telecom, Government of India,” the police officials said.

A police official told reporters today that the state crime division is currently monitoring all mobile numbers implicated in cybercrime and is collecting reports from districts on a daily basis. He stated that 102 teams of 5000 Haryana Police officers recently stormed 14 cybercrime hotspot villages in the Nuh district.

“For this reason, at present, Haryana is at the top position in blocking mobile numbers used in cyber fraud. At present more attention is being given to such areas and villages from where cyber fraud incidents are being carried out. Recently, 102 teams of 5000 policemen of Haryana Police raided 14 cybercrime hotspots villages in Nuh district,” he added.

He further stated that Andhra Pradesh has issued the most cellphone numbers implicated in cybercrime, and that they are being used to commit cybercrime in the state.

“Currently, out of the total identified mobile numbers issued on Fake ID, a maximum of 12,822 mobile numbers have been issued from Andhra Pradesh, 4365 from West Bengal, 4338 from Delhi, 2322 from Assam, 2261 from North East states and 2490 from Haryana state. All the numbers are currently operating from different areas of Haryana and the same has been intimated to the Department of Telecom to block them,” he added.

OP Singh, Chief of the State Crime Branch and Additional Director General of Police, stated that the state crime branch, as the state nodal agency for cybercrime, has a team of 40 highly skilled cyber police personnel who have been deployed at helpline 1930 to quickly register reported incidents and collect relevant data.
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