[gregmac]

My understand use these call centers use VoIP providers in the country though. The traffic crossing the border is likely just an encrypted stream, indistinguishable from some VPN or other generic service.

The VoIP providers are getting paid (by the scammers), your cell/phone company is getting paid twice (by both you and the VoIP provider). It's not like customers are switching to the other spam-less phone option, or giving up having voice service entirely.

I hate to be cynical about it, but literally all the players in a position to track and shut these calls down via technical means have absolutely no tangible incentives to do so.

[raverbashing]

This. Exactly this. Some company in the US does the VoIP->POTS connection. Someone's name and CC is on their file.

Saying "oh there's no way to know where the calls come from" is just lame excuses. CallerId spoofing is one thing, but POTS has other systems.

[heartbeats]

Why not put the onus on the last mile?

If you get spam calls, your carrier is liable unless they can point to the source of the disruption. If they can't point to where they got it from, they are liable, and so on. If they can identify them but they're unwilling to pay out, their link to you is still liable.

Eventually, the buck has to stop somewhere.

[gesman]

+1

If you facilitated criminal to directly connect with me - you’re liable.

Telcos should be liable for “call laundering” similar as banks as for money laundering.

If you don’t know identity of person calling me - you’re responsible for damages.

Problem solved.

[dade_]

Please point me to the technical solution that I am avoiding.