The Singapore Police Force (SPF) arrested four men aged between 25 and 44 during a two-day islandwide operation on 12 and 13 Oct 2023.
They are suspected of accessing computer systems containing registration information for postpaid SIM cards, then pre-registering postpaid SIM cards using that information.
Another six men and three women, aged between 23 and 57, are assisting with investigations, police said in a statement.
Source: Singapore Police Force
The retailers would then sell these fraudulently registered SIM cards to customers who wish to conceal their identities.
Police said officers from the Anti-Scam Command conducted simultaneous raids targeting eight handphone shops located at:
They subsequently arrested the four men and took in the other nine individuals to assist in investigations.
Source: Singapore Police Force
“They had purportedly pre-registered postpaid SIM cards using particulars of others, such as their unsuspecting customers or foreigners, and sold them to customers who wanted to conceal their identities,” police said.
Police also seized an assortment of paraphernalia such as mobile phones and SIM cards during the operation.
Source: Singapore Police Force
Such SIM cards can be exploited as an anonymous channel of communication for unlicensed moneylending, scams, and vice, among other illicit activities, police noted.
Police added that scam syndicates also use these SIM cards to contact victims, as well as communicate among themselves to evade detection.
“The offence of unauthorised modification of computer material under Section 5(1) of the Computer Misuse Act 1993 carries a fine of up to S$10,000, an imprisonment term not exceeding three years, or both,” police said.
Meanwhile, the offence of illegally obtaining personal information under Section 416A of the Penal Code 1871 carries a fine of up to S$10,000, an imprisonment term not exceeding three years, or both.
Police said it takes a serious stance against any person who engages in illegal acts and will continue to clamp down on errant handphone shop retailers who may be indirectly facilitating illegal activities.
Those involved in such illegal activities will be dealt with in accordance with the law.
Investigations are ongoing.
Also Read: 16-Year-Old & 9 Others Arrested Over Malware Scams That Emptied Victims’ Bank Accounts
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Featured image adapted from Singapore Police Force.
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