DoT Disconnects 88 Lakh Suspicious Mobile Numbers via AI Platform

Ashik Bothra - Mumbai Bureau Jul 25, 2026 4,000 Views

The Department of Telecommunications has disconnected over 88 lakh suspicious mobile connections using its AI-powered ASTR tool as of July 15, 2026. An additional 50.9 lakh connections were deactivated following 11.18 lakh citizen reports on the Chakshu facility, reinforcing national efforts against cybercrime and financial fraud.

NEW DELHI, July 25, 2026 — The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has disconnected over 88 lakh suspicious mobile connections across India using its proprietary artificial intelligence and big data analytics platform. In a written response delivered to the Rajya Sabha, the Ministry of Communications confirmed that the mass disconnections were executed after flagged numbers failed mandatory identity reverification checks.

The technological crackdown forms part of a broader government strategy to dismantle illegal telecom networks, prevent financial scams, and curb widespread cybercrime operating through fraudulent SIM cards.

AI Deployment and Citizen Reporting Mechanisms

The primary engine behind the crackdown is ASTR (Artificial Intelligence and Facial Recognition Powered Solution for Telecom SIM Subscriber Verification), a big data tool developed in-house by the DoT. ASTR analyzes facial patterns, subscriber databases, and registration documentation to detect fraudulent SIM allotments created using forged identity documents. As of July 15, 2026, more than 88 lakh connections flagged by ASTR were permanently disconnected after subscribers failed to verify their credentials.

In parallel, the government relies on public participation through the Chakshu module on the official Sanchar Saathi Portal, which allows citizens to report suspected fraudulent SMS, calls, and WhatsApp messages.

Action Vector	Platform / Module	Total Reports / Flags	Total Numbers Disconnected
AI Automated Analysis	ASTR Tool	Automated Pattern Mapping	Over 88,000,000 (88 Lakh)
Crowdsourced Citizen Reports	Chakshu (Sanchar Saathi)	11.18 Lakh Reports	50,90,000 (50.9 Lakh)

Inter-Agency Integration and Financial Regulatory Safeguards

Providing detailed statistics to Parliament, Union Minister of State for Communications Dr. Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani highlighted that rather than acting on isolated complaints, the department analyzes crowdsourced data to target whole fraud networks. Based on 11.18 lakh citizen submissions via Chakshu, authorities successfully traced and terminated an additional 50.90 lakh mobile connections as of mid-July 2026.

To bolster cross-sector enforcement, the DoT established the Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP). This platform facilitates real-time, bi-directional information sharing among law enforcement agencies, the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) under the Ministry of Home Affairs, and financial market regulators. More than 50 entities regulated by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) have onboarded the platform to prevent telecom misuse in stock market and investment scams.

Official Sources Section

Official information and performance metrics regarding the telecom fraud crackdown were formally presented in Parliament and released through official channels:

"According to officials, the Department of Telecommunications uses advanced AI analytics to analyze crowdsourced data and zero down on the systemic misuse of telecom resources, protecting citizens from cyber frauds."

Detailed notices and public advisories are accessible via official government portals, including the Press Information Bureau and the Ministry of Communications.

Why It Matters

The systematic purging of nearly 1.4 crore fake and suspicious mobile connections directly strengthens public safety across the digital economy:

Mobile Users & Consumers: Decreases exposure to phishing calls, fake OTP requests, impersonation scams, and malicious SMS links.
Financial Institutions & Investors: Prevents fraudulent bank accounts and fake demat accounts from being tied to untraceable mobile numbers.
Law Enforcement: Disrupts criminal syndicates operating automated call centers by eliminating the supply of fake SIM cards.

Key Facts at a Glance

AI Disconnections: Over 88 lakh suspicious numbers deactivated via the ASTR AI tool as of July 15, 2026.
Citizen-Driven Action: 50.9 lakh additional connections terminated based on 11.18 lakh complaints filed through the Chakshu facility.
Regulatory Integration: More than 50 SEBI-regulated market entities onboarded onto the Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP) to intercept financial fraud.
Centralized Portal: Citizens can verify mobile connections registered under their name via the Sanchar Saathi Portal.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How does the DoT identify suspicious mobile numbers using AI?

The DoT uses ASTR, an AI and big data analytics tool, to cross-analyze subscriber databases, facial images, and registration forms to identify fraudulently obtained SIM cards.

What is the Chakshu facility on Sanchar Saathi?

Chakshu is an online feature on the Sanchar Saathi portal that allows mobile users to report suspicious text messages, phone calls, or WhatsApp communications directly to telecom authorities.

How can citizens check how many mobile numbers are registered in their name?

Citizens can visit the official Sanchar Saathi website and use the "TAFCOP" facility to view all active mobile connections linked to their identity credentials and request disconnection of unauthorized numbers.

What happens if a mobile number is flagged as suspicious?

Flagged connections are issued a mandatory reverification notice. If the subscriber fails to provide valid legal proof of identity within the specified window, the connection is disconnected.