Latest news with #E-KYC
Time of India
18-05-2025
- Time of India
CBI cracks down on PoS generating 'Ghost SIM' for cybercriminals
New Delhi: In a major crackdown on digital arrest scams, the CBI has booked 39 point-of-sales (PoS) operators who sold 1,100 " ghost SIM cards " to cyber criminals operating from Southeast Asian countries to trap gullible individuals here, officials said Saturday. The PoS operators came under the scrutiny of the country's anti-cybercrime unit under the Home Ministry - I4C - which was keeping an eye on SIM cards belonging to Indian telecom operators active in Southeast Asian countries from where cyber criminals were allegedly operating. Over 64,000 such SIM cards issued by 1,930 PoS fulfilled the criteria, which were further shortlisted on the basis of at least 10 complaints against these SIM cards that narrowed the PoS under suspicion to 84, they said. During further analysis, it emerged that 39 PoS were currently active and allegedly engaged in creating "ghost SIM cards", which were sold to cybercriminals operating from Southeast Asian countries to target gullible Indians, they said. The CBI investigation showed that SIM cards are issued on the basis of e-KYC. When a customer seeks a SIM, the point-of-sale person gets an E-KYC done and issues a SIM. The alleged scamsters used to lie to the customers that their e-KYC had failed and they should try again. The SIM generated for the first time was handed over to the customer while the second one - the "Ghost SIM" - was sold to cybercriminals without the genuine customers knowing that a SIM generated in their name was being used by cybercriminals, the officials said. These ghost SIM cards were then used not only to deceive the victims, but also to create mule bank accounts to receive the money, which were later closed to avoid detection or reveal the money trail, they said. Since these were Indian numbers but operating from Southeast Asian countries, the 'digital arrest' victim receiving the call got an impression that it was a local call originating from within India. The CBI suspects that executives within the telecom operators may have played a role in activating these ghost SIM cards, and the agency will probe the matter during its investigation to unravel the criminal conspiracy, the officials said. The agency has so far arrested more than five individuals connected to the racket and conducted widespread searches across India last week. The searches were conducted as part of the ongoing 'Operation Chakra V', which is aimed at curbing cybercrimes and digital arrest-related frauds, they said. The raids were carried out on the premises of various point-of-sale agents of telecom operators in Assam, West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Telangana, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, a CBI spokesperson said.
New Indian Express
04-05-2025
- New Indian Express
Inclusive tech can avert digital divide
Digital tools should facilitate people and not become barriers. E-KYC is crucial to banking, education, healthcare, essential services, tax portals, travel documents, etc. It is reported that Aadhaar, while enabling large sections of the country's population to gain a digital identity, also cuts the other way, leaving the disadvantaged out in the cold. As a mandatory document, Aadhaar provides access to the government's social welfare programmes, especially the public distribution system, but in many cases, it has deprived needy families of subsidised food grains due to OTP authentication glitches. The Aadhaar-mobile number link has inadvertently created barriers in processing applications and documents, as have biometric mismatches. Accident victims who have lost their hands or suffered facial disfigurement are unable to verify their identity, while internet and mobile phone penetration in interior villages is another significant barrier. The internet has revolutionised the world as a great equaliser, giving access to knowledge and opportunities, but it is more tuned to the urban user. Innovative technical tools like AI can make the journey even easier, but only if such software helps people access digital platforms, applications, and assisted technology. We must ensure technology does not create a digital disconnect or make the marginalised sections even more vulnerable.
Scroll.in
04-05-2025
- Business
- Scroll.in
Video: Why activists unable to blink an eye went to court against E-KYC
The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed the revision of E-KYC norms to enable people with visual impairment or facial disfigurement to access banking and other services. E-KYC is the electronic or digital version of Know Your Customer, a process mandated by the Reserve Bank of India that institutions use to verify the identities of their customers. The judgement comes as a response to two writ petitions filed before the Supreme Court which highlighted the exclusionary nature of the current digital KYC norms. 'You need to blink an eye when you do your E-KYC,' said Amar Jain, a visually-impaired corporate lawyer who is one of the petitioners in the case. 'This is a real problem for persons with blindness and persons who have faced acid attack.' Pragya Prasun, the second petitioner in the case, had faced trouble with buying a mobile SIM card as well as opening a bank account. 'My concern was that slowly, it should not spread everywhere where if I have to get a ticket, boarding pass, or cash from an ATM, I'll have to blink an eye to use that facility,' she said. Ruling that the right to digital access is an intrinsic part of the right to life and personal liberty under Article 21 of the Constitution, the Supreme Court issued twenty directions to make the E-KYC process accessible, holding that acid attack survivors and person with visual impairment are entitled to the protection under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016. 'The fundamental problem with anything that we do in our system is that unless you start involving people with disabilities, as co-creators of the processes, you are going to exclude them forever,' said Amar Jain. 'When we created physical infrastructure, we did not consider the needs of people with disability. Now they are doing this with digital infrastructures as well,' he added.
Time of India
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
SC says changes needed in KYC processes for disabled, gives 20 directions
'We have held there is need for change in KYC processes for the disabled. We have given 20 directions. The petitioners who suffer from acid attacks and blindness have been unable to complete the KYC process and could not complete them due to facial disfigurements," said the court. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads The Supreme Court on April 30 pronounced the judgment on digital KYC 's inaccessibility (which includes E-KYC/Video KYC) for persons with disabilities The Court had heard all parties and directed to file their written submissions containing the provisions in question, the problems faced and solutions proposed before reserving the judgment.'We have held there is need for change in KYC processes for the disabled. We have given 20 directions. The petitioners who suffer from acid attacks and blindness have been unable to complete the KYC process and could not complete them due to facial disfigurements," said the State under Articles 21, 14, 15 must ensure that such process is universally accessible to all such members, said Justice R inputs from Indu Bhan of ET Bureau
Yahoo
14-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
National Bank of Oman launches digital account opening service
The National Bank of Oman (NBO) has rolled out a fully digital account opening function through its mobile application. Individuals can now set up accounts remotely at any time, without attending a branch or providing physical paperwork, a press release published via Zawya revealed. During the registration process, customers can select from savings, current, children's, and youth accounts, depending on their needs. Those registering are granted 600 welcome points as part of the process and debit cards are dispatched directly to the customer's address following successful onboarding. Qualifying account holders may receive up to 3.25% in returns on their savings. All steps are performed digitally via the application, removing the need for printed documents. Customers upload identity documents, conduct facial scans, and provide a digital signature through the app. The service links with Ma'laa for electronic know your customer (E-KYC) verification and screening. This allows for immediate identification and assessment in line with regulatory obligations. The digital process is designed to reduce time spent and improve access to banking services. Account holders benefit from continuous availability of financial transactions and tools. This forms part of a wider transition towards more convenient and efficient banking. The initiative supports NBO's focus on addressing customer expectations and reducing reliance on paper. It underlines a shift towards environmentally responsible and technology-led financial practices. The launch is in line with the bank's efforts to modernise services and improve the digital experience. NBO assistant general manager, Digital and E-Channels head Dr Ali Salim Al Shekaili was quoted by the news agency as saying: 'Our new digital onboarding feature marks a major milestone in our mission to make banking more accessible, convenient and secure. 'By eliminating the need for branch visits or paperwork, we are streamlining the way customers begin their relationship with NBO while aligning with our broader vision for customer-centric digital banking.' "National Bank of Oman launches digital account opening service" was originally created and published by Retail Banker International, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Sign in to access your portfolio
