Reports indicate that the Union Home Ministry has taken decisive action against more than 100 websites associated with organized illegal investments and fraudulent part-time job schemes. According to an official statement, these websites were reportedly operated by individuals located overseas.
Detection of Fraud
The Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C), a unit within the National Cybercrime Threat Analytics Unit (NCTAU) of the Union Home Ministry, recently identified and recommended the blocking of these websites. The fraudulent activities involved organized illegal investment schemes and deceptive part-time job offers.
Blocking Under IT Act
Following the recommendations of the I4C, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) utilized the provisions of the Information Technology Act of 2000 to block these websites. The platforms were allegedly contributing to organized illegal investments and promoting fraudulent part-time job opportunities.
Foreign Operation and Tactics
Operated by individuals based abroad, these websites employed digital advertising, chat messengers, and rented accounts to carry out their illicit operations. The official statement also revealed that the proceeds from these economic crimes were being funneled out of India through various channels, including card networks, cryptocurrencies, overseas ATM withdrawals, and international fintech companies.
Initiative Against Cybercrimes
The I4C, an initiative spearheaded by the Home Ministry, is dedicated to combating cybercrimes in the country through coordinated efforts against such illicit activities.
Previous Enforcement Actions
This recent move follows the Ministry’s previous actions on November 5, where blocking orders were issued against 22 illegal betting apps and websites, including Mahadev Book. The latter has been embroiled in a political controversy in poll-bound Chhattisgarh. The enforcement actions were taken following investigations by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) into an illegal betting app syndicate, and subsequent raids on Mahadev Book in Chhattisgarh unveiled the app’s alleged unlawful operations.
