
4 jailed over illegal online sale of registered SIM cards
FOUR men engaged in the illegal sale of registered Subscriber Identity Module or SIM cards in the country were arrested by joint teams of the Northern and Q.C. District Anti-Cybercrime Teams, Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group director Brigadier General Bernard R. Yang on Saturday said.
The official said that one of the suspects identified as alias ‘JP’ was caught in an entrapment operation on Mayon Street, Quezon City launched by the ACG Cyber Financial Crime Unit last Tuesday afternoon.
The sting was conducted after cyber-patrollers managed to engage the accused who was selling e-wallet accounts with ATM card and an online banking account for P3,000.
The 2nd identified as alias ‘Arvin’ was arrested in an entrapment operation in General Araneta, Cubao, Q.C. on the same day by members of the Northern and Q.C. District Anti-Cybercrime Teams.
The accused was found to be selling for P2,300 his registered SIM card linked to a verified e-wallet online account.
The two others were apprehended in another operation in Cabuyao, Laguna where they were monitored to be selling registered SIM cards online.
Officers from the Regional Anti-Cybercrime Unit 4-A discovered that one of the suspects even advertised he was selling his fully verified e-wallet account with a SIM card for P800 only.
The suspects were charged with violation of Republic Act 11934 or the SIM Registration Act and RA 12010 or the Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act in relation to RA 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.
Yang said the operations were in accordance with the directive of PNP chief, General Rommel Francisco D. Marbil to safeguard the Filipinos’ digital space by ramping up their cyber-patrolling and swiftly taking legal action against cybercriminals.
Brig. Gen. Yang reminded the public that online selling of registered SIM cards and bank accounts is illegal and carries serious legal consequences.”
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 emphasized even as he called on the citizenry to report individuals involved in illegal online activities.
“If you know someone involved in the illegal online sale of registered SIM cards, report it immediately to the PNP-ACG so we can take appropriate action. Together, we can create a safer cyberspace for everyone,” the official said.