iWorld
Airtel rolls out AI alerts to curb OTP banking fraud
New system flags risky calls in real time and warns customers mid-conversation
NEW DELHI: Airtel has unveiled an AI-powered fraud alert system aimed at curbing bank frauds driven by leaked one-time passwords, marking its most aggressive move yet to stop scams at the network level.
The new feature, dubbed Fraud Alert, detects potentially risky situations during live calls and issues real-time warnings when a banking OTP is generated while the customer remains on the line. The intervention is designed to disrupt social engineering scams that rely on urgency and impersonation to extract transaction approvals.
Fraudsters typically exploit routine OTP use, such as for deliveries or service requests, to trick users into sharing banking credentials, draining accounts within minutes. Airtel said its system combines AI-driven intelligence with contextual checks to prompt customers to pause, verify and reconsider before authorising transactions.
Airtel India managing director and CEO Shashwat Sharma, said the operator was working towards becoming a “safe network”, noting that while OTPs remain central to digital security, their effectiveness has been eroded by increasingly sophisticated criminal tactics.
He added that the autonomous, AI-led solution operates proactively at the network layer and has shown strong accuracy during trials in preventing such frauds.
Over the past two years, Airtel has rolled out tools including spam call warnings and malicious link blocking, sharply reducing fraud originating from its network. However, scammers have continued to exploit human behaviour through impersonation and psychological pressure: an attack vector the company says this latest feature directly targets.
The fraud alert system is already live in Haryana and will be rolled out to Airtel’s entire customer base over the next two weeks.
iWorld
Prime Video and Hrithik Roshan reunite for quirky heist comedy Mess
HRX Films expands pact with quirky heist comedy set for production
MUMBAI: Prime Video is doubling down on its partnership with Hrithik Roshan, announcing a new comedy film Mess that promises chaos, chuckles and a clever twist on the classic heist.
Produced by Hrithik Roshan and Eshaan Roshan under HRX Films, a division of FilmKraft Productions, the film is being made in association with Soda Films Lab. Directed by Rajesh A Krishnan, Mess marks the second collaboration between the streaming platform and HRX Films after the upcoming thriller Storm.
At the heart of Mess lies an unusual premise. A group of robbers break into the home of a man with OCD, only to find themselves outmatched in a night-long standoff that flips the script on who is really in control. It is a set-up that blends tension with humour, turning a break-in into a breakdown of expectations.
Prime Video India director and head of originals Nikhil Madhok said, “A good story should surprise and entertain, and Mess does both with ease. It brings together a unique premise, memorable characters and a tone that keeps you laughing throughout.”
He added that the collaboration with HRX Films continues to grow stronger, with the new film reflecting a shared appetite for bold and original storytelling.
Hrithik Roshan said, “After Storm, Mess feels like a natural next step in our journey with Prime Video. The film captures the kind of unconventional storytelling we want to champion, with Rajesh bringing a distinctive voice to the narrative.”
Director Rajesh A Krishnan said, “The world of Mess is a mix of comedy and chaos, unusual enough to keep audiences on edge while still delivering humour. It has been a deeply collaborative and creatively fulfilling experience.”
The original screenplay comes from Paul Soter, with adaptation and dialogues by Kapil Sawant, adding another layer of craft to the film’s offbeat narrative.
As production gears up, Mess looks ready to live up to its name, serving up a delightful tangle of mayhem, mischief and movie magic for audiences in India and beyond.
