Page 87 - ELT_1st July 2020_Vol 373_Part 1

2020 ] FOREIGN TRADE POLICY E7

FTP - Circulars
DGFT Cautions all Stake holders of existence of fake web-
sites
[Add on page 1398 of 25th Edition of FTP & Handbook of Procedures, Vol. 1, 2019-20]
Subject : Advisory on fake Email IDs/Websites/Persons claiming to be govern-
ment officer/official responsible for DGFT/GSTN refunds or providing
the services for issuance of IEC and other services of DGFT.
It has been brought to the notice of Directorate General of Foreign Trade
(DGFT) that certain vested interests/persons are using multiple websites and
email IDs mimicking/resembling official DGFT website and email for misleading
and duping exporters/importers.
2. These vested interests/persons claiming to be the officials responsi-
ble for DGFT refunds have been sending communication to trade stakeholders.
Further, through such websites they have been allegedly misleading trade stake-
holders by falsely claiming to provide services rendered by DGFT including
claiming to help in issuance of the Import and Export Code (IEC) number. These
websites appear to charge large sums as fee from applicants besides collecting
their confidential data despite the process of IEC number being completely
online and contactless.
3. Some of these fake websites are registered in the domain names of
*.org, *.in, *.com such as www.iecregistration.org. Exporters/Importers have report-
ed to be receiving mails from emails ID such as “dgft-email.nic.in”, contact@dgft-
in.email, iml@dgftcom-in.icu, Infol@in-gov.email, dgft3@mail-govt.email, Si2@ic-
gov.email etc. These email IDs being similar to Government IDs may potentially
result in misleading and duping of the applicants.
4. With the furtherance of digital mode of services delivery by DGFT
and its Regional Authorities, the proliferation of impersonation/fake website,
platforms, providers etc. needs to be continuously checked and reported. Engag-
ing with/on such platforms by the Importer/exporter may result in possible
frauds, exposure to misleading information, confusion among trade stakehold-
ers, and stealing of confidential information etc. among others. In order to con-
tain these issues, trade stakeholders are advised to avoid accessing and engage-
ment with such websites and platforms. Trade stakeholders are also requested to
avoid sharing any information and making payments on these platforms.
5. DGFT has initiated systematic changes to establish secure communi-
cation with its stakeholders. The contact information provided by the Export-
ers/Importers is used/will be used by DGFT for communication. Export-
ers/Importers are requested to avoid sharing their details with pri-
vate/unrelated/unknown persons/entities etc. which may have a potential for
misuse and fraud.
6. The official website of the DGFT for applying for IEC and other ser-
vices is https://dgft.gov.in or http://dgft.gov.in. The stakeholders are advised to ac-
cess these two official websites for availing services and for addressing their var-
ious requirements.
7. Trade stakeholders are requested to bring to notice cases of such per-
sons/websites/platforms/providers to the DGFT Helpdesk at the toll free num-
ber 1800-111-550 or by sending details via email at dgftedi@nic.in.
EXCISE LAW TIMES  1st July 2020  87