Centre Blocks 3,718 Fraudulent Apps, Saves Over INR 11,158 Crore in Cyber Fraud Crackdown
The Ministry of Home Affairs announced that the I4C has blocked 3,718 malicious apps and saved over INR 11,158 crore from cyber frauds. Through platforms like CFCFRMS and the Suspect Registry, authorities have flagged millions of mule accounts and mobile numbers to combat digital crime. Scroll below to know more.
In a major push against digital crime, the Ministry of Home Affairs revealed that the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) has blocked 3,718 malicious mobile applications, including fraudulent loan apps, as of June 30. The extensive measures, detailed by Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar in a written reply to the Lok Sabha, highlight the government's multi-pronged approach to safeguarding citizens from escalating cyber threats through coordinated institutional frameworks.
Financial Protection and Fraud Management
A cornerstone of the government's defence mechanism is the Citizen Financial Cyber Fraud Reporting and Management System (CFCFRMS), launched under I4C in 2021. The platform is designed for immediate incident reporting to prevent fraudsters from siphoning off stolen funds. How CSMT Free Wi-Fi and ‘RTO CHALAN.APK’ File Cost Bank Manager INR 4.27 Lakh in Cyber Fraud.
According to official data, the system has successfully saved more than INR 11,158 crore across 32.80 lakh complaints up to June 30. Additionally, a Suspect Registry launched in September 2024 in collaboration with financial institutions has shared over 30.48 lakh suspect identifiers and 32.08 lakh Layer 1 mule accounts, helping decline potentially fraudulent transactions worth INR 25,698 crore. Authorities have also cracked down on telecommunication channels used by syndicates, blocking more than 15.75 lakh SIM cards and 5.77 lakh IMEIs reported by police forces nationwide.
Streamlining Intermediary Action and Operations
To expedite the removal of unlawful digital content and malicious links, the government established the "Sahyog" Portal. Operating under Section 79(3)(b) of the Information Technology Act, 2000, the portal facilitates the swift issuance of takedown notices to IT intermediaries. The Ministry has also introduced a standardised Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for complaint processing and bank coordination. Operational modules for money restoration and grievance redressal- specifically aimed at resolving bank account freezes and lien markings - were rolled out in April 2026 to ensure funds are efficiently returned to verified claimants. ‘Rent a Boyfriend’ Scam: Hyderabad Police Warn Young Women of Cyber Fraud, Blackmail and Extortion Traps.
Reporting Portals and Public Awareness
Citizens can report all forms of cyber crime through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (cybercrime.gov.in), which maintains a specialised focus on offences against women and children. Complementing these technological tools, the central government continues to run extensive public awareness campaigns. Outreach initiatives include dedicated caller tunes, SMS broadcasts, digital displays at transit hubs like railway stations and airports, school safety programs, and active engagement across social media handles under the banner "@CyberDost".
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 12, 2026 03:18 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
