Airtel Seeks Jio, VIL Collaboration on Anti-Fraud Telecom Initiative

The telecom industry in India is facing a surge in cyber frauds, identity thefts, and digital scams, threatening the safety of millions of mobile users. In response, Bharti Airtel has taken a leadership role by urging all telecom operators to join hands in a unified battle against this growing menace. With the landscape of scams becoming more sophisticated and widespread, Airtel has approached RIL-owned Jio and Vodafone Idea, proposing a coordinated effort to curb the threat using advanced detection methods and real-time intelligence sharing. 

In separate letters to the telcos, citing available data, India experienced financial losses exceeding ₹11,000 crore due to over 1.7 million cybercrime complaints recorded in the first 9 months of 2024.

A Joint Telecom Fraud Initiative Proposed

Airtel has formally reached out to fellow Telecom Service Providers (TSPs), proposing a Joint Telecom Fraud Initiative to be launched on 14 May 2025. The plan calls for cross-network coordination and real-time exchange of fraud intelligence, which the company believes is essential to stop scams before they reach vulnerable users.

"This initiative would bring together all TSPs to collaboratively detect, prevent, and mitigate telecom fraud and scams across our networks through real-time fraud intelligence sharing and cross-network coordination," Airtel said in the letters.

Ongoing Efforts to Combat Scams

Sunil Mittal-led Airtel has already deployed a fraud detection solution that actively blocks suspicious links and rogue websites across popular platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook, Telegram, and Instagram. This tool works across communication and social media platforms to stop scams at their source.

Airtel reminded authorities that in October 2024, it had already suggested a similar collaborative approach to tackle Unsolicited Commercial Communications (UCC), advocating for a centralised system to share enterprise calling data and prevent spam without affecting legitimate services.

"We also proposed the establishment of a centralised data-sharing platform akin to the existing Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) system to enhance our collective ability to combat UCC without disrupting legitimate enterprise services," Airtel said. 

Meanwhile, Airtel Vice Chairman and MD Gopal Vittal will soon reach out to customers on the issue of financial frauds and scams that have "become a regular threat for Indians".

Read More: After Airtel, Reliance Jio Partners with SpaceX for Starlink Internet Expansion in India

Conclusion

As fraudsters grow more organised and deceptive, Airtel’s call for a united industry response marks a crucial step forward. The proposed joint initiative, combined with AI-driven tools and public awareness, could significantly strengthen India’s defences against telecom and digital fraud.

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