DoT warns Indian users of International Calls from local or no numbers; call 1963

Lately, the Department of Telecom (DoT) is messaging Indian users to be careful about international calls. The telecom body has sent out a text message which reads: “While receiving an international call, if an Indian number or no number is displayed on your phone, please inform on the DoT toll-free number 1800110420 or 1963.”

The message is both in Hindi (or Regional Language) and English. If any user gets a call and the notification says “no number” then chances are it could be a fraudulent call. As per DoT, the user should immediately notify the telecom body in the event of such a call.

DoT 1963 Message

There's no clue as to why it is sending these messages all of a sudden. But the pandemic has given rise to major phishing attacks and fraud calls. It is wise to prevent such frauds, thus, user discretion is advised. India’s calling code is +91. Thus, if the speaker talks internationally, but the number is Indian (or there is no number), please call 1963.

The advisory from DoT began in 2019

The message was first circulated in 2019 when MoS for Home Affairs Hansraj Gangaran Ahir commented on the issue. He has said there have been some instances of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) exchanges in use for criminal activities.

Last year, A team of CBCID (TN Police) along with DoT officers (Security wing, TN LSA) jointly raided the premises of DRAV telecommunications at Thangam Colony, in Anna Nagar West, Chennai. They busted an illegal telecom setup with inputs from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), TN LSA.

On 21st August, the CBCID busted the illegal telephone setup. They also seized the equipment and setups. The setup has 22 SIM boxes with approx. 1500 SIMs. It also had 16 routers with pen drives, foreign calling cards, Wifi dongles, mobile handset. They also seized foreign currencies.

Then, DoT filed FIR against the accused of having performed such unlawful activities. The authorities arrested Muppiri Reddy and four of his employees. Later, DoT notified a toll-free number “1800 110 420 / 1963” on which the public can inform DoT call centre about the receipt of an international call with local/national CLI (Caller Line Identification) or no number displayed on their phone.

In 2018-19, the authorities unearthed, six exchanges alone, in eastern Uttar Pradesh; 11 in Andhra Pradesh; Maharashtra and Kerala having two each and one in Odhisa. They also found three such exchanges in Delhi last year.

To curb such cases, they are repeatedly asking users to be careful now as post-pandemic has led to increased frauds and scams.

Other telecom operators, too, have a general warning about such international calls.