New Delhi: In a significant move to enhance the security of India’s digital ecosystem, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the Financial Intelligence Unit-India (FIU-IND) signed a comprehensive Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on September 25, 2025. This partnership aims to boost information sharing and coordination to combat cyber crimes and financial frauds involving misuse of telecom resources.
Collaborative Intelligence Sharing
The MoU signing ceremony was led by Shri Sanjeev Kumar Sharma, Deputy Director General of DoT’s AI & Digital Intelligence Unit, and Shri Amit Mohan Govil, Director of FIU-IND, in the presence of Dr. Neeraj Mittal, Secretary (Telecom), and Shri Arvind Shrivastava, Secretary (Revenue). This collaboration heralds a new era of joint intelligence operations between DoT’s Digital Intelligence Unit and the country’s apex financial intelligence agency.
Key Highlights of the Partnership
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Real-time exchange of Financial Fraud Risk Indicator (FRI) data, categorizing mobile numbers by risk levels based on association with financial fraud.
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Automatic sharing of Mobile Number Revocation List (MNRL) details by DoT to FIU-IND.
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FIU-IND sharing mobile numbers linked to Suspicious Transaction Reports involving cyber fraud and money mule activity.
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Use of advanced technology platforms such as DoT’s Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP) and FIU-IND’s Finnex 2.0 portal to facilitate secure real-time data transmission.
Strengthening Cybersecurity and Financial Fraud Prevention
With India experiencing rapid digital payment growth, safeguarding against sophisticated fraud schemes is critical. The partnership boosts early detection of fraudulent mobile numbers, enabling swift action to prevent financial crimes. Financial institutions can now implement enhanced risk checks during digital transactions based on the shared intelligence.
Impact and Forward Path
DoT’s ongoing initiatives, such as the Sanchar Saathi platform, have already disconnected over 2.84 crore fraudulent mobile connections. Utilizing the FRI system, banks have prevented or declined 48 lakh suspicious transactions, saving around ₹140 crore. The MoU will also support developing standard operating procedures for data sharing, feedback mechanisms, and issuance of fraud prevention guidelines for financial institutions.
Both agencies will maintain continuous collaboration to adapt to evolving cyber threats and protect India’s growing digital economy effectively.
About FIU-IND and DIU
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FIU-IND is the national agency tasked with analyzing and disseminating information on suspicious financial transactions to combat money laundering and terrorism financing.
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DIU, a specialized wing of DoT, develops technologies like the indigenous AI tool ASTR, Sanchar Saathi portal, and the Financial Fraud Risk Indicator to curb telecom misuse in cyber and financial crimes.
Conclusion
The MoU between DoT and FIU-IND marks a pivotal milestone in India’s comprehensive cybersecurity strategy, leveraging advanced technology and inter-agency cooperation to safeguard citizens from financial fraud and ensure secure digital transactions.
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Source: PIB
