Airtel blocks 3.5 million online fraud attempts in Delhi-NCR using AI

Airtel’s AI-driven fraud detection, auto-enabled for all users, filters suspicious links across SMS, messaging apps, email, and browsers—analyzing over 1 billion URLs daily and blocking harmful websites in under 100 milliseconds for instant protection

Airtel has reported major strides in its effort to combat rising online fraud, announcing that its AI-driven fraud detection system has protected over 3.5 million users in the Delhi-NCR region within just 43 days of deployment. The rollout is part of a broader nationwide initiative to enhance digital safety for its mobile and broadband customers.

Enabled by default for all Airtel users, the advanced system monitors and filters suspicious links shared via SMS, WhatsApp, Telegram, Facebook, Instagram, email, and various web browsers. Harnessing real-time threat intelligence, the platform scans more than 1 billion URLs every day and blocks malicious sites in under 100 milliseconds—ensuring near-instant protection.

For instance, if a user receives a phishing message such as “Your package is delayed. Track it here: http://www.tracky0urparcell.com” and clicks on the link, Airtel’s system immediately scans the URL. If the link is deemed suspicious or dangerous, access is instantly blocked, and the user is redirected to a warning page stating: “Blocked! Airtel found this site dangerous!” This seamless, real-time interception prevents users from falling prey to scams and reinforces Airtel’s commitment to proactive customer protection in the digital age.

Nidhi Lauria, CEO – Delhi-NCR and Uttar Pradesh (West), Bharti Airtel, said, “At Airtel, we are dedicated to protecting our customers from various types of fraud. By incorporating our network with an AI-driven fraud detection solution, we guarantee that our customers are protected from all new threats without requiring any action on their part. We consider it crucial to act now to secure the digital environment of tomorrow, and we take pride in being at the forefront of this initiative by providing a safer and more comprehensive network for our customers in Delhi-NCR.”

With Delhi-NCR ranked as one of India’s most digitally advanced states, the threat of online fraud has grown. Fraudsters increasingly target users through phishing links, fake deliveries and spurious banking alerts. Airtel’s solution acts as a statewide digital shield, protecting families, senior citizens, homemakers, students and first-time smartphone users alike.

The AI-driven platform delivers fraud warnings in the user’s preferred language, including Hindi, making it highly effective for the state’s diverse population. This multilingual support is especially impactful in districts with low digital literacy or where English is not widely used.

The solution operates silently in the background, requires no installation and is offered free of cost. Delhi-NCR is at the forefront of digital adoption — from online banking to government e-services — and Airtel’s initiative plays a critical role in creating a safer digital ecosystem across the state. Whether it's a working professional, a homemaker, or a student. Airtel helps make every digital interaction safer.