In a decisive move against cyber fraud, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has blocked the ‘Wingo’ application network, effectively disrupting a large-scale SMS scam operation. The crackdown follows investigations revealing that the app was being used to send fraudulent SMS messages from Android phones without the users' knowledge. The MHA has described ‘Wingo’ as a "telecom mule as a service" platform, offering earnings based on SMS tasks.
The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), operating under the MHA, has issued a public warning advising citizens to refrain from downloading or using the application. The I4C also cautioned Android users to remain vigilant against such malicious apps. According to officials, the app lured users with promises of quick money while covertly misusing their devices and personal data.
The government's action included geo-blocking the command and control servers linked to the ‘Wingo’ app network to impede its operations. Additionally, four Telegram channels with approximately 153,000 subscribers and over 53 related YouTube videos promoting the app were also blocked as part of the MHA's crackdown.
The 'Wingo' app secretly turned Android devices into tools for cybercrime, with over 1.53 lakh users unknowingly becoming "telecom mules". These devices were used to send an estimated 80 to 100 fraudulent messages daily, resulting in approximately 1.53 crore spam messages flooding Indian mobile networks each day. These messages often appeared to be legitimate alerts, such as notifications for unpaid traffic challans, and included suspicious links requesting immediate payment.
The MHA has reiterated its commitment to safeguarding citizens from cybercrime and urges the public to report suspicious applications or activities through official cybercrime reporting platforms. The I4C was established by the MHA to provide a coordinated framework for addressing cybercrime in the country. It collaborates with law enforcement agencies in states and Union Territories and serves as a focal point for combating cybercrime. The I4C identifies emerging cyber threats, analyzes cybercrime trends, and coordinates large-scale crackdowns on fraud networks. It also works with telecom service providers, internet intermediaries, and global technology platforms to block illegal digital infrastructure.
