Tackling mobile frauds in new govt's 100-day plan; caller ID service, National Cyber Security Agency to be set up

India will soon crack down on online and phone frauds through a multi-pronged approach involving both government and private telecom companies.

According to senior government officials, the Calling Name Presentation (CNAP) service will be functional within 100 days of the new government taking charge. A National Cyber Security Agency (NCSA) will also be operationalised.

Officials said the NCSA will be an umbrella organisation for acting on digital frauds. It will also encourage development of tools to protect against cyber threats and frauds with a focus on small businesses and common people who do not have access to sophisticated technology. "The model for running the CNAP has been agreed upon by telecom companies. The onus of identification will be on the network from where a call originates," an official told ET.

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) had on February 23 recommended the CNAP as a measure to curb fraud calls.

The step will put a leash on fraudsters claiming to be from law enforcement agencies, banks and custom agents.

CNAP will notify call receivers about the identity proof linked with a SIM card being used by the caller. "The telecom service provider, from where a call originates, will be verifying the identity of a caller and ensuring that the accurate information is conveyed to the receiver," a second official said, adding, "This service safeguards the right to privacy of a call receiver."