I4C Empowered to Share Info with ED Under PMLA

🧠 NATIONAL

April 29, 2025
Thematic Focus: Cybersecurity | Money Laundering | GS Paper 2 & 3

🕊️ Intro Whisper:

In a world of invisible crimes, the strongest defense begins with visible vigilance.

🔹 Key Highlights: I4C Empowered to Share Info with ED Under PMLA

• Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) now included under Section 66 of PMLA
  • Approved by Revenue Department, Ministry of Finance
  • Enables information exchange with Enforcement Directorate (ED)
• Objective: Track money trails of cyber frauds and initiate action under anti-money laundering law
• Step crucial for unearthing complex financial networks behind frauds

🧑‍💻 Nature of Cyber Frauds

• Fake websites, social media scams, phishing, OTP fraud, and malicious links
• Aim: Remote access, digital theft, financial fraud
• “Digital Arrest Scams”: Impersonation of law enforcement officers; victims extorted under fake legal threats

📱 Public Reporting Tools

• Cybercrime Reporting Portal: cybercrime.gov.in
• Helpline: 📞 1930 – active for reporting digital financial fraud
• Over ₹4,386 crore saved through early alerts via Citizen Financial Cyber Fraud Reporting & Management System

🛡️ Capacity Building & Outreach

• I4C trains law enforcement in cyber forensics & digital policing
• 7.81 lakh SIMs & 2 lakh+ IMEIs blocked
• Awareness drives include:
  • Caller tunes warning against scams
  • Inter-departmental campaigns with Department of Telecommunications

🧭 Concept Explainer:

In the era of rising digital financial crime, convergence of cybersecurity and money laundering enforcement is a strategic necessity. Empowering I4C under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act bridges the gap between digital detection and legal action.

It reflects a larger policy vision: Don’t just catch the scam, follow the money.

🧾 GS Mapping:

• GS Paper 2: Institutional Framework | Centre–State Coordination | Governance Mechanisms
• GS Paper 3: Cybersecurity | Internal Security | Financial Fraud

💠 A Thought Spark — by IAS Monk:

“In the digital battlefield, laws that trace the shadow win the fight against fraud.”