PNP cracks down on SIM card sellers

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) has intensified its campaign against crime rings behind the large-scale sale of pre-registered SIM cards allegedly linked to online scams.

Acting PNP chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said the move is in line with President Marcos’ directive, through Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla, to strengthen the enforcement of the SIM Registration Act and dismantle criminal networks exploiting digital systems for fraudulent activities.

“We have intensified intelligence monitoring, surveillance and entrapment operations targeting people and groups facilitating the registration and distribution of fraudulent SIM cards,” Nartatez said.

He said the police Anti-Cybercrime Group is conducting forensic examinations on seized mobile devices and SIM cards recovered from scam hubs to trace their sources.

The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission, in coordination with the Las Piñas police, arrested on Thursday two suspects in Parañaque for selling 240 pre-registered SIM cards through Facebook Marketplace. Each SIM card was found to be registered under fictitious names.