As per the recent notice circulated by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), TRAI does not provide any No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for installing mobile towers. This is a common scam where fraudsters approach individuals or landowners, offering to install mobile towers on their property in exchange for a hefty sum. They may even present fake TRAI NOCs to make their offer seem legitimate.
What to do if approached by a fraudster:
- Do not engage: If someone approaches you with an offer to install a mobile tower on your property and claims to have a TRAI NOC, be very cautious.
- Verify with the service provider: Contact the mobile service provider directly to confirm if they have any plans to install a tower in your area and if the person approaching you is authorized.
- Report to the police: If you suspect fraudulent activity, report the incident to your local police station immediately. Provide them with all the details you have, including the name of the person, any contact information, and a copy of the fake letter, if possible.
Where to file complaints:
- Local police station: This is the first and most important step.
- Department of Telecommunications (DoT): You can also file a complaint with the DoT through their website or by contacting their regional offices.
- Cybercrime portal: If the fraud involves online communication, you can also report it to the national cybercrime portal or call 1930.
Tips:
- Be wary of unsolicited offers promising high rental income for installing mobile towers.
- Never pay any upfront fees or deposits to anyone claiming to be from a telecom company.
- Always verify the identity of anyone claiming to be a representative of a telecom company.