DoT, SEBI Sign Pact to Curb Telecom-Linked Financial Frauds
The MoU was signed by Sanjeev Kumar Sharma, deputy director general at the AI & Digital Intelligence Unit of DoT, and Sandip Pradhan, whole-time member at SEBI, in the presence of Deb Kumar Chakrabarti, member (services), digital communications commission in New Delhi on Wednesday.
Data-sharing framework to enable early detection of investment scams and strengthen investor protection
New Delhi: Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen coordination in tackling telecom-linked financial frauds and securities market scams.
The agreement establishes a structured data-sharing mechanism aimed at early detection and prevention of fraudulent activities involving misuse of telecom resources in investment-related scams.
The MoU was signed by Sanjeev Kumar Sharma, deputy director general at the AI & Digital Intelligence Unit of DoT, and Sandip Pradhan, whole-time member at SEBI, in the presence of Deb Kumar Chakrabarti, member (services), digital communications commission.
Real-Time Data Sharing to Detect Fraud Early
Under the agreement, DoT will share its Financial Fraud Risk Indicator (FRI) with SEBI to help identify mobile numbers linked to suspicious activities through multi-dimensional analysis.
The Mobile Number Revocation List (MNRL) will also be shared automatically, enabling SEBI-regulated entities such as brokers and asset management companies to ensure that investor accounts are linked only to valid and active mobile numbers.
In return, SEBI will provide inputs on telecom resources associated with fraud, impersonation and mule accounts, allowing DoT to take swift action.
This exchange will be facilitated through DoT’s Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP), which connects over 1,400 stakeholders and enables real-time sharing of actionable intelligence.
Shift from Reactive to Preventive Enforcement
The partnership marks a shift towards a proactive fraud prevention framework, integrating telecom intelligence with financial market surveillance systems.
The Financial Fraud Risk Indicator, powered by inputs from DoT’s Chakshu facility under Sanchar Saathi, financial institutions and law enforcement agencies, will function as an early warning system to flag potentially fraudulent mobile connections before they are used in scams.
Strong Track Record in Fraud Prevention
DoT’s existing initiatives have already delivered measurable impact:
- Over 88 lakh fraudulent mobile connections disconnected under Sanchar Saathi
- Estimated prevention of financial losses worth ₹2,300 crore in the last 10 months through FRI deployment
Towards a Secure Digital Investment Ecosystem
The collaboration comes at a time when India’s digital investment ecosystem is expanding rapidly, increasing exposure to cyber-enabled financial frauds.
The MoU will enable the development of standard operating procedures for coordinated action and institutional sharing of red-flag indicators, strengthening surveillance and enforcement capabilities.
With continuous coordination and adaptive response mechanisms, the DoT-SEBI partnership is expected to significantly enhance investor protection and reinforce trust in India’s digital financial ecosystem.
