New Delhi: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has issued a strong public advisory warning citizens about a sharp increase in cyber frauds and financial scams involving the misuse of its name and identity. In a detailed statement, TRAI clarified that it does not initiate individual communications with consumers, and any such outreach claiming to be from the authority is unauthorised and fraudulent.

The regulator raised the alarm over a growing number of scams where fraudsters impersonate TRAI officials through calls, WhatsApp messages, forged documents, and fake letterheads. These impostors often threaten people or deceive them into transferring money or sharing sensitive information under false pretences.

‘Digital arrest' among notorious scams

A major fraud tactic highlighted is the so-called ‘digital arrest’ scam. In this scheme, victims receive threatening calls from individuals posing as TRAI or law enforcement officers, falsely accusing them of telecom or financial violations. Fraudsters use fake legal documents and official-looking identities to scare people with arrest threats or account freezes , coercing them into transferring money as a "bail amount" or for "verification purposes."

TRAI categorically stated that it does not engage in such practices, nor does it authorise any third-party agency to do so. The authority also emphasised that it never requests Aadhaar numbers, OTPs, bank details, or personal information through calls, messages, or video platforms.

Other common scams misusing TRAI’s identity:

SIM deactivation threats: Calls or texts warning users that their mobile number will be deactivated due to KYC issues, prompting immediate action or payment.

Mobile tower installation frauds: Fake offers of high rental income in exchange for upfront fees, often supported by forged TRAI approvals.

Forged documents and emails: Circulation of fake letters or emails bearing TRAI’s logo to extract money through bogus investment or compliance demands.

Reiterating its mandate, TRAI clarified that it is an independent statutory body, formed under the TRAI Act, 1997, responsible for regulating telecom and broadcasting services, recommending policy measures, and monitoring service quality  not for consumer-level investigations.

TRAI urged citizens to stay alert and take the following precautions:

Citizens have been urged to remain vigilant, disconnect immediately if they receive suspicious or threatening calls, and avoid sharing any personal or banking information. TRAI encouraged victims or concerned individuals to report such incidents to the National Cybercrime Helpline (1930) or through the government’s cybercrime portal at www.cybercrime.gov.in. Suspicious numbers can also be flagged via the Chakshu facility on the Sanchar Saathi portal or using the TRAI DND mobile app.