7 arrested for selling registered SIM cards

Seven people were arrested for selling registered SIM cards online in a series of operations in Metro Manila and Rizal this month, the Philippine National Police - Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG) said on Wednesday.

“The investigation revealed that these registered SIM cards were sold for prices ranging from PHP 14 to PHP 3,500. The cost is higher for SIM cards linked to verified accounts with payment service providers,” the PNP-ACG said.

Of the seven arrested persons, four are males and three are females, including twins, during its entrapment operations conducted in Valenzuela City, North EDSA Highway in Quezon City, Pedro Gil and Ermita in Manila, as well as in Cainta, Rizal.

The suspects said they engaged in the online sale to earn a daily income, as they observed a growing demand for registered SIM cards.

The suspects are facing complaints for violations of the Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act and the Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) Registration Act in relation to the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, according to the police.

“To those selling SIM cards registered in their names and verified accounts linked to payment service provider, be aware that these may be used by cybercriminals for scamming activities, and you could be held liable if caught,” said PNP-ACG chief Police Major General Ronnie Francis Cariaga said.

—VAL, GMA Integrated News