Government Launches Major Digital Strike Against Cybercrime
In a significant move to tackle the surge in cybercrime, the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs has launched a comprehensive digital strike. This initiative has led to the blocking of thousands of Skype IDs and WhatsApp accounts involved in scams. The operation also includes the deactivation of numerous SIM cards and mobile IMEI numbers, alongside the removal of malicious applications and suspicious online content. With these measures, the government aims to safeguard citizens from the rising threats posed by cybercriminals, ensuring a safer digital environment.
| Mar 30, 2026, 16:57 IST
Comprehensive Action Against Cybercriminals
In response to the rising incidents of digital arrests and investment scams, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has initiated an extensive "digital strike" through its cyber division, the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C). Reports indicate that since the beginning of 2025, the cyber division has blocked 3,962 Skype IDs and 83,867 WhatsApp accounts that were instrumental in executing complex scams. This intensive operation, coordinated with the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), police forces, and telecom service providers, has significantly deactivated the digital infrastructure utilized by fraudsters.
Additionally, the operation has extensively covered mobile and network security, leading to the blocking of 845,000 SIM cards and 239,000 mobile IMEI numbers identified through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP) system. To further dismantle online fraud mechanisms, the ministry has blocked 827 malicious mobile applications and removed or blocked over 111,000 suspicious online contents using a collaborative portal. By implementing a real-time mechanism to freeze devices and identification documents used in criminal activities, the Ministry aims to protect citizens from the increasing wave of financial and psychological exploitation orchestrated by cyber gangs.