The Department of Telecommunication (DoT) has launched the ‘Chakshu’ facility on its Sanchar Saathi Portal to enable citizens to report any fraudulent communication received via WhatsApp, SMS or calls as cybercrimes and fraud cases rise in India. It is observed that criminals target their victims in the pretext of updating know-your-customer information, bank details, gas and electricity connection, wallet payments, SIM cards, as well as requests money by impersonating a government official, threaten with sextortion, crimes threatening to release sexual content online, etc. If you receive any such call or communication through WhatsApp or SMS, you can report it now on the Sanchar Portal using the ‘Chakshu’ option.

However, the ‘Chakshu’ facility is only for reporting suspected fraud communication and not for frauds that have already happened. In case of fraud, the victim can report the crime to the cybercrime cell on the Sanchar Saathi Portal website or call the helpline number 1930.

How Do You Access The Chakshu Facility?

You can avail of the Chakshu facility on the Sanchar Saathi portal of the Department of Telecommunications. As of March 4, 2024, the latest data from the Press Information Bureau (PIB) show that the department had disconnected over one crore mobile connections, including 59 lakh fraudulent numbers, based on the feedback from the public, law enforcement agencies, banks, IRCTC, and other organisations and could save around Rs 1,000 crore in the last nine months.

The DoT launched the Sanchar Saathi portal in May 2023. The Chakshu facility allows individuals to report fraudulent communication, such as fake loans, lottery and job offers, robocalls, criminals sending malicious links to websites, calls from fake customer service providers planning to commit financial fraud, etc., to the DoT and take appropriate action.

Also read: 8 Things You Must Consider To Avoid Online Fraud

How Do You Report Suspected Fraudulent Communication?

Step 1: Visit the official Sanchar Saathi portal.

Step 2: Click on ‘Citizen Centric Services’ in the bar at the top of the page.

Step 3: Click on ‘Report Suspected Fraud Communication – Chakshu’.

Step 4: A new page will open; click ‘Continue for reporting’.

Step 5: Select the medium of communication received (call, SMS, WhatsApp) from the drop-down list.

Step 6: Provide the suspected fraud communication details and give a description. Step 7: A screenshot can also be attached, but it is optional.

Step 8: Provide your name and phone number, enter the Captcha code in the box provided, and verify your mobile number with the OTP you received.

Step 9: Click on ‘Submit’.

Once the suspected communication is reported on the portal, DoT verifies the incident and takes action against the fraudster, which could be disconnecting the number or filing police complaints.