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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Nartatez orders crackdown on large-scale sale, use of pre-registered SIM cards

Nartatez orders crackdown on large-scale sale, use of pre-registered SIM cards

Published Oct 13, 2025 10:29 am
Acting Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Police Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. (Photo: PNP)
Acting Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Police Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. (Photo: PNP)
Police Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez, Jr., acting chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), ordered a crackdown on the large-scale scale sale and use of pre-registered SIM cards believed to be connected to various cybercrimes, including scams and abusive online lending operations.
The order stemmed from the Oct. 9 entrapment operation in Parañaque City that resulted in the arrest of two people for selling 240 pre-registered SIM cards advertised on Facebook Marketplace.
Each SIM (subscriber identity module) card was already registered under fictitious identities.
Authorities confiscated several mobile phones and transaction records linking the suspects to a broader black-market network involved in the sale of fraudulent SIM cards.
“We have intensified intelligence monitoring, surveillance, and entrapment operations targeting individuals and groups facilitating the large-scale registration and distribution of fraudulent SIM cards,” Nartatez said.
“We are also conducting digital forensic examinations on seized mobile devices and SIM cards recovered from scam hubs and POGO (Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator)-related operations to trace their sources and connections to criminal syndicates,” he added.
Nartatez said they have already uncovered evidence showing that syndicates use identity theft, falsified documents, and mass registration using fake credentials to activate thousands of SIM cards for criminal use.
He said the PNP is now developing tighter enforcement measures to close these gaps and hold accountable those who enable these illegal activities.
Nartatez reminded the public to remain cautious and refrain from purchasing or using second-hand or pre-registered SIM cards, warning that such actions may lead to criminal liability.
He also encouraged citizens to immediately report suspicious sellers or scam activities to the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group through its hotlines and online reporting channels.
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