Laguna: Operatives of the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG) have arrested four persons involved in the illegal online sale of pre-registered subscriber identity module (SIM) cards in separate operations in Laguna province and Quezon City. In a statement Friday, ACG acting chief Brig. Gen. Bernard Yang said cyberpatrolling activities led to an engagement with the online sellers and their eventual arrest on Jan. 13 to 14.
According to Philippines News Agency, the Calabarzon police's anti-cybercrime unit spotted a suspect advertising online a bundle of a fully verified e-wallet account and a SIM card priced at PHP800. An officer arranged to meet up with the suspect and an accomplice, both of whom the ACG did not identify, which resulted in their arrest in Cabuyao town, Laguna at 4:40 p.m. on Jan. 13.
Meanwhile, the ACG's Cyber Financial Crime Unit (CFCU) said another suspect, alias 'JP,' was selling an e-wallet account with an automated teller machine (ATM) card as well as an online banking account worth PHP3,000. The suspect was arrested after meeting up with a police officer who acted as a buyer along Mayon Street in Quezon City at around 12:58 p.m. on Jan. 14.
Around 2:32 p.m. on the same date, the anti-cybercrime units of Northern Police District and Quezon City Police District arrested a suspect, alias Arvin, for selling his registered SIM card, along General Araneta Avenue in Cubao, Quezon City. The SIM card was linked to a verified e-wallet account and was priced at PHP2,300, the ACG said in a separate report.
All four suspects were charged with violations of the SIM Registration Act, the Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act, and the Cybercrime Prevention Act. The SIM card can be used for text scams or to create a social media account for scamming activities.
Yang reminded the public that the illegal online sale of SIM cards is punishable by law, with significant fines and imprisonment. 'It is crucial to adhere to the law and avoid involvement in such online illegal transactions to protect oneself and prevent the spread of cybercrime,' he added.
