As the SIM Registration Act approaches its second year, the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center reports that approximately 54 million SIM cards, or 32 percent of those in circulation, remain unregistered.
This loophole continues to be exploited by scammers and cybercriminals, prompting urgent calls for stricter enforcement.
CICC Executive Director Alexander K. Ramos expressed grave concern over ongoing investigations uncovering the misuse of unregistered SIM cards, often linked to organized crime and fraudulent activities.
Recent law enforcement operations have seized numerous SIM cards, some carrying falsified identities and connected to illicit call center operations.
The majority of these seized SIM cards are from prepaid services like Smart and Globe, with some also associated with GCash accounts, highlighting the breadth of the issue.
Ramos emphasized the necessity for immediate government intervention, announcing plans to collaborate closely with the National Telecommunications Commission to address these challenges decisively.
In response, Globe Telecom reaffirmed its commitment to compliance with the SIM Registration Act, ensuring that all SIM cards on its network are registered. Darius Delgado, Globe vice president and head of consumer mobile business, underscored their rigorous SIM registration system that mandates registration prior to activation through designated platforms.
Globe’s proactive measures include the deactivation of over 30 million unregistered SIMs following the registration period from December 27, 2022, to July 30, 2023. The company has since enhanced its security protocols, employing advanced encryption for secure data transmission, live photo capture technology to prevent identity fraud, and strict limits on ID submission retries to deter submission of fictitious documents.
Efforts to combat SIM-related fraud and cybercrime remain a top priority as stakeholders work together to safeguard public trust and enhance cybersecurity measures nationwide.
