Online scams and fraud cases are increasing rapidly in India, with many people losing money through fake calls, messages and suspicious links. To help citizens report such activities easily, the government launched the Chakshu Portal under the Sanchar Saathi initiative.
The portal allows people to report suspicious calls, SMS and WhatsApp messages directly to authorities. It is designed to strengthen India’s cyber and telecom security by helping officials track fraudsters and take action against them quickly.
Also Read | Social media ads could be scams, here’s how to spot the warning signs
What is the Chakshu Portal
Launched by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) in March 2024, the Chakshu platform was introduced under the Sanchar Saathi initiative to report suspected fraud calls, SMS, and WhatsApp messages. People can use this portal to report any suspicious communication received within the last 30 days.
This platform makes it easier to report spam calls and fake messages. The Chakshu portal not only helps users report fraud but also acts as an important tool to protect people from online scams and suspicious activities.
What types of fraud can users report
As per Tech2 reports, the Chakshu portal allows citizens in India to report many types of online fraud and scams. These include KYC fraud, where scammers misuse personal details for banking, electricity, gas, or insurance-related cheating. It also includes impersonation cases, where people pretend to be government officials, friends, or relatives to trick others. Users can report fake customer care numbers that offer false job offers, lottery wins, bank benefits, or loan schemes. The portal also helps in reporting automated or robotic calls that repeatedly disturb users. In addition, people can report malicious links sent through messages that may lead to harmful or unsafe websites.
How can users file a complaint online
As per Tech2 reports, to register a complaint on the Chakshu portal, users first need to visit the Sanchar Saathi website. After opening the site, they should go to the Citizen Centric Services section and click on “Chakshu - Report Suspected Fraud.” Next, users must clearly describe the type of fraud they experienced, such as KYC issues, sextortion, or malicious links received through SMS. They are also required to upload screenshots of the fraud message or call, making sure the date and time are visible. Users can add extra details about the incident within the given 500-character limit. After that, they need to provide their contact number and other relevant information. Finally, the complaint is verified by entering an OTP sent to the registered mobile number, and once confirmed, the report is successfully submitted.
Also Read | What is ‘digital arrest’? Inside the WhatsApp scam that got 9,400 accounts banned
As per Tech2 reports, the Chakshu portal is connected with the Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP), which helps in sharing information quickly with the concerned authorities. This makes it easier to control and stop cyber fraud activities in India. When a user submits a report, an investigation is started based on the details provided. If the complaint is confirmed, strict action is taken against the fraudsters. In serious cases, the mobile device used for cheating can be permanently blocked using its IMEI number, which helps prevent further misuse and protects other users from online scams.
