PM Modi Urges Global Framework to Combat Cyber Frauds, Deepfakes and Digital Crimes

NEW DELHI, Oct 8: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday called for a global mechanism to combat cyber fraud, deepfakes and other digital crimes, stressing that online threats are no longer confined by geographical boundaries and require coordinated international action.

Addressing the 10th edition of the India Mobile Congress 2026, Modi urged governments, technology companies, telecom operators and financial institutions to work together to develop effective safeguards against digital fraud.

He called upon the GSMA and telecom operators worldwide to establish a system capable of detecting and preventing fraudulent activities before they reach potential victims.

Modi said India had gained considerable experience in dealing with digital fraud and was prepared to share its learnings with other countries.

The prime minister emphasised that the widespread adoption of technology depends on public confidence. According to him, technological progress can achieve meaningful scale only when people trust the digital systems they use.

Highlighting the international nature of cybercrime, Modi said individuals operating from different countries can work together to target victims in another part of the world. Such cross-border operations make it difficult for individual nations to address digital crimes in isolation.

He also pointed to the growing challenge posed by deepfakes, which can use artificial intelligence and other technologies to create manipulated audio, video or images that appear authentic.

The prime minister’s call comes as the rapid expansion of digital services, artificial intelligence and online financial transactions has created new opportunities as well as new forms of cyber-enabled crime.

He stressed the need for cooperation among different sectors because combating such threats cannot be the responsibility of governments alone. Technology platforms, communication companies and financial institutions also have an important role in identifying suspicious activity and protecting users.

A coordinated international mechanism could help countries share information, strengthen preventive measures and respond more effectively to fraud networks operating across borders.

Modi said India’s experience in developing digital systems and addressing emerging online threats could contribute to global efforts in this area. He reiterated the country’s willingness to share its knowledge and practices with international partners.

The prime minister also underlined the importance of maintaining trust as digital technologies become increasingly integrated into everyday life. From communications and banking to public services and commerce, people are relying on digital platforms for a growing range of activities.

The expansion of artificial intelligence has added another dimension to the challenge. While AI can support innovation and improve digital services, technologies capable of generating realistic synthetic content can also be misused to deceive individuals and spread fabricated material.

Modi’s remarks at the India Mobile Congress highlighted the need to ensure that technological advancement is accompanied by adequate safeguards.

The annual telecom and technology event brings together policymakers, industry representatives, technology companies and other stakeholders to discuss developments in the digital sector.

The prime minister’s appeal for international cooperation places cyber safety alongside broader discussions on the future of telecommunications and digital technology. As online activities increasingly cross borders, cooperation between countries could become important in addressing threats that operate beyond the jurisdiction of a single government.

The proposed global approach would involve multiple stakeholders working together rather than relying solely on individual users to identify and avoid fraudulent activity.

Modi’s remarks also highlighted the importance of developing preventive mechanisms capable of stopping suspicious transactions or deceptive communications before they cause harm.

With cyber fraud and deepfake technology evolving rapidly, international collaboration could play a significant role in strengthening digital security while preserving public confidence in emerging technologies.