The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has issued an alert about the robocall scammer group known as Royal Tiger, marking it as the first Consumer Communications Information Services Threat (C-CIST). This designation is intended to raise awareness among law enforcement agencies and industry stakeholders, facilitating better identification and blocking of the group’s harmful activities.
Royal Tiger is led by Prince Jashvantlal Anand, also known as Frank Murphy, and his associate Kaushal Bhavsar. The group operates through multiple entities, including Illum Telecommunication Limited and One Eye LLC, with operations spanning across India, the US, the UK, and the UAE. This widespread network underscores the group’s extensive reach and the potential danger it poses to consumers globally.
Royal Tiger employs various VoIP businesses to conduct illegal robocall campaigns targeting US consumers. These campaigns often involve impersonating banks, government agencies, and utility companies, using spoofed phone numbers to deceive individuals into divulging sensitive information or making fraudulent payments.
The FCC emphasizes the significant threat posed by Royal Tiger, noting that their actions not only aim to defraud consumers but also erode public trust in communication networks. In response, both the FCC and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) have taken measures to halt the group’s operations, including issuing cease-and-desist letters to associated entities such as Great Choice Telecom. These steps are part of a broader effort to protect consumers and maintain the integrity of communication services by preventing the spread of malicious robocalls.
The FCC’s alert about Royal Tiger reflects a strategic effort to marshal resources across various jurisdictions to combat these types of threats effectively. By designating Royal Tiger as a C-CIST, the FCC aims to provide government and industry stakeholders with a common focus and the tools needed for attribution and enforcement actions.
This coordinated approach is essential for addressing the consumer harm and privacy risks posed by such threat actors. The ultimate goal is to ensure that these malicious entities are detected and blocked from perpetuating unlawful schemes, thereby safeguarding consumers and restoring trust in the telecommunications network. The FCC’s proactive stance highlights the importance of vigilance and collaboration in combating sophisticated robocall scams and protecting public communications infrastructure.
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