Spoofing consists in the illegal manipulation of telephone numbers, usually using the CLI (calling line identifier) of a number which the victim trusts, while the call is made from another number, and often from abroad.
Regulatory actions typically target the fraudulent manipulation of CLIs to avoid spoofing practices.
Cullen International’s research shows recent developments in national regulation against spoofing practices across Europe:
In Belgium, the regulator BIPT recently consulted on the creation of a do-not-originate list for all numbers that cannot be used to originate calls.
In February 2025, the Spanish Ministry for Digital Transformation adopted a regulation to prevent CLI manipulation and fraudulent calls and text messages to consumers.
Among other obligations, all Spanish operators (fixed and mobile) must now block voice calls and messages with unauthorised CLI, and those with international origin using a Spanish CLI.
From March 2025, operators in Sweden must block incoming international mobile calls with a national CLI.
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