Cyber criminals in Rajasthan have launched a new wave of fraud, exploiting the name of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) to deceive residents. Fraudsters are impersonating TRAI officers, offering lucrative deals for mobile tower installations, conducting fake call-data checks in multi-storey buildings, and even threatening “digital arrest” to extract large sums of money.
According to officials, the perpetrators lure victims with the promise of high monthly rent for installing mobile towers, then demand “registration” or “security” fees. They also present forged approval letters to appear legitimate. In some cases, victims have been coerced into paying under the threat of SIM card deactivation or legal consequences.
Data Protection and DPDP Act Readiness: Hundreds of Senior Leaders Sign Up for CDPO Program
Cases That Highlight the Scam
In Sikar, Kaushal Kishore Maurya received a call from individuals claiming to be company representatives. They offered a lucrative monthly rental for placing a tower on his property, even showing fake identification. A form was sent for completion, and Maurya was asked to transfer ₹25,000 as a security deposit.
In Chittorgarh, Kanhiya Lal became the target of two fraudsters posing as TRAI officers. They accused him of defrauding someone over the phone and claimed to have traced his calls. Using AI-generated data, they fabricated a record of messages from his mobile phone and showed a forged letter ordering SIM card deactivation. Intimidated, Lal transferred ₹50,000 to the fraudsters.
TRAI Issues Public Alert
Following a rise in such incidents, TRAI has clarified that it never calls individuals for tower installations, nor does it request Aadhaar details, OTPs, or bank account information. The agency advises citizens to verify any suspicious communication through its official website or local office.
Authorities stress that personal or financial details should never be shared with unknown callers. Payments should not be made to unverified accounts, and all suspicious messages, calls, or emails should be reported immediately to cybercrime portals or the nearest police station.