The Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) is determined to file complaints against individuals and their associates who have not properly documented their unregistered SIM cards, which are being used for fraudulent activities.
In a statement, CICC Executive Director Alexander K. Ramos expressed concern after discovering that unregistered SIM cards were being exploited to intercept online bank transaction messages.
Ramos called for a strong government response against the telecom companies involved.
Recent law enforcement operations targeting organized crime, including call center activities, resulted in the seizure of numerous SIM cards with false identities and unregistered cards used for fraud.
CICC will meet with the National Telecommunication Commission to discuss their findings. The majority of the confiscated SIM cards are prepaid Smart and Globe cards associated with GCash accounts.
The SIM Registration Act (Republic Act No. 11934), also known as the SIM Card Law, requires the registration of all SIM cards before activation to combat cybercrime and text scams. Enacted on December 27, 2022, the law aims to enhance security in the telecommunications sector.
As of July 30, 2023, over 113.9 million SIM cards had been registered, accounting for 67.83 percent of the estimated 168 million SIM cards in circulation.
Despite this progress, Ramos said that some subscribers are still receiving scam messages from unregistered SIM cards.
“Organized cybercrime syndicates have been using unregistered SIM cards and or SIM Cards with stolen identities to send fraudulent SMS with dangerous links,” he said.
CICC is appealing to victims of text scams and other cybercrimes to call the Inter Agency Response Center hotline 1326.