New GSMA report shows more than half of Indians have been scammed and 14% report financial losses
October 9, New Delhi: India's three largest mobile network operators (Bharti Airtel, Reliance Jio and Vodafone Idea) today provided an update on how they are further strengthening their efforts to tackle digital scams, through the GSMA Open Gateway initiative.
While the three operators are running a number of individual programs to help keep their customers safe from scams, today they outlined how they are also working together as a mobile ecosystem, through the GSMA Open Gateway initiative, to provide banks and other online platforms with new federated ways to verify customer identities and combat digital fraud.
The updates come as the GSMA released new research at the India Mobile Congress showing that digital scams are a growing concern for consumers across India: more than half of Indian consumers (53%) have been scammed and 10% have fallen victim in the past year. The “India Consumer Scams Report 2025”, commissioned by the GSMA and written by advisory firm Armidale, shows that the growth of digital scams and frauds is eroding digital trust.
Indian operators offer GSMA Open Gateway upgrade at India Mobile Congress
Speaking at India Mobile Congress 2025, the operators outlined their plans to provide business developers at banks and online retailers with federated access to new services, including SIM swapping and number verification (application programmable interface) APIs. GSMA-certified Federated CAMARA APIs help developers create services that work with all participating mobile networks, while allowing each operator to maintain control of their data, policies and revenue. The software provides an interface, interoperability and global coverage between countries, so that digital businesses can easily and securely connect their services to the rich and intelligent functionality that mobile operator networks can provide.
Bharti Airtel, Reliance Jio and Vodafone Idea have already launched the SIM Swap API, which helps banks prevent account takeover attacks, where fraudsters use social engineering techniques and stolen personal data to take control of the account owner's SIM card.
The three operators also plan to launch a CAMERA-based number verification API before the end of 2025. This API is a more secure replacement for SMS one-time passwords (OTP). It allows businesses to verify the identity of a mobile user by matching their phone number with real-time network data to protect Indians from digital scams while ensuring a seamless customer experience.
GSMA launches survey on consumer scams in India
The “India Consumer Scam Report 2025”, commissioned by the GSMA and released today, also highlights why the mobile industry is looking to work more closely with financial services and online retail companies to tackle scams and fraud by creating innovative new services.
The report found widespread concerns about scams, as well as a significant financial and emotional impact on victims. Revealed:
- Persecution: 10% percent of respondents were scammed last year;
- Financial damage: 14% of the victims lost material sums that still worry them.
- Digital trust: 58% of Indian consumers said they are “very concerned” about scams, and 84% believe they are increasing. About 42% believe the threat is “increasing rapidly.”
- attack vectors: Email, SMS and messaging apps are the most important channels for scammers; However, dating app and QR code scams are more prominent in India than other parts of Asia. (Victims of online dating scams: 14% vs. 7% ASEAN average and QR code scams: 18% vs. 10% ASEAN average).
GSMA Open Gateway Hackathon: Connected India: API for a Billion Lives
India's three largest mobile operators have also partnered with Nokia and the GSMA in an inaugural GSMA Open Gateway Hackathon at the India Mobile Congress to accelerate the development of new innovations and services based on network APIs using network capabilities.
The hackathon titled “India Connected – APIs for a Billion Lives” has received over 2,300 registrations and 400 solution ideas or concepts from developers, startups and innovators, and 100 finalists were invited to attend and create new API-based solutions to address real-world challenges in India's diverse landscape. Using Open Gateway APIs and Nokia's Network as Code platform, participants will create services that improve lives, unlock new revenue streams, and demonstrate the transformative potential of network intelligence.
In addition to developing new services that prevent fraud, participants are invited to develop and showcase new innovations, using Nokia's Network as Code platform, that show how Network API services can support financial inclusion, healthcare access, emergency services, agritech and rural connectivity, education and digital inclusion in India. Previous GSMA Open Gateway hackathons in Barcelona and China led to the development of new services, including an application called “On Time” that used location and population density APIs to analyze real-time passenger information, overcrowding and delays in Catalonia's public transport system. In Asia, China Telecom helped address digital exclusion by developing TeleNavi, a voice-only smart location technology to help seniors hail taxis.
Julian Gorman, Asia Pacific Director at GSMA, said: “India is the second largest mobile market in the world and is home to a significant developer community. Mobile operators' commitment to GSMA Open Gateway innovation can further accelerate India's digital transformation, creating secure, interoperable services that protect consumer trust and create new revenue opportunities. This week's hackathon and joint announcement are a symbol of collaboration that will combat collectively the fraudulent economy. It will further support the creation of new innovations and API-based network services that can address real-world business. and social challenges to support India’s role as a global telecom statesman.”
Sharat Sinha, CEO and Head of Airtel Business, said: “For over a year, Airtel has been at the forefront of the fight against spam, leveraging advanced network intelligence and artificial intelligence to restore consumer trust and ensure business continuity. AI-powered spam defense and fraud detection solutions have already demonstrated significant effectiveness, protecting millions of customers by blocking over 53 billion unwanted calls, 2.5 billion of SMS and nearly 4 lakh fraudulent links. Building on this established success, we are now driving this mission through a strategic partnership with GSMA and other leading telecommunications providers, enabling access to our network APIs. This collaboration is designed to empower businesses, allowing them to strengthen their own protection measures for both their operations and their customer base. thus promoting a safer and spam-free digital India.”
Avneesh Khosla, CMO of Vodafone Idea, said: “Consumers are at the center of every innovation we deliver. Network APIs have the ability to redefine digital trust by bringing unmatched security, transparency and simplicity to everyday online experiences. From protecting people against fraud to enabling frictionless logins, these APIs ensure people enjoy security and convenience without compromise. Together with GSMA and our ecosystem partners, we are committed to providing consumers with solutions that make their digital lives safer and more secure. inclusive and truly effortless.”
Shkumbin Hamiti, vice president and head of network monetization platform, network and cloud services at Nokia, said: “We are honored that Nokia's Network as Code has been chosen as the exclusive platform for the India Mobile Congress Hackathon. By partnering with GSMA Open Gateway and leading Indian MNOs, Nokia is excited to showcase how Network as Code powers India's vibrant developer ecosystem to create new API-based solutions that combat cybercrime, strengthen digital trust and address a wide range of real-world challenges.
The Indian initiative is part of the global GSMA Open Gateway program, which now includes more than 79 mobile operator groups representing 291 networks and almost 80% of mobile connections worldwide. By bringing together operators from around the world, the GSMA Open Gateway initiative facilitates the design of digital products capable of working seamlessly on all devices, regardless of country or operator. The service's APIs are available through the CAMARA repository, an open source project of the Linux Foundation and a fundamental part of the GSMA Open Gateway initiative.
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About the GSMA
The GSMA is a global organization that unifies the mobile ecosystem to discover, develop and deliver critical innovation for positive business environments and social change. Our vision is to unlock the full power of connectivity so that people, industry and society thrive. Representing mobile operators and organizations across the mobile ecosystem and adjacent industries, the GSMA offers its members three broad pillars: connectivity for good, industry services and solutions, and outreach. This activity includes policy advocacy; address today's biggest social challenges; underpin the technology and interoperability that make mobile devices work; and provide the world's largest platform to bring together the mobile ecosystem at the MWC and M360 series of events.
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